Ronald Koeman is not pleased with the mentality of the Dutch national team. The national coach is angry about the way in which the the Dutch lost 2-3 against Italy in the consolation final of the Nations League and is particularly disturbed by the lack of work ethic. Donyell Malen in particular has to suffer.
“Based on the first half, I am concerned. I was also ashamed,” says Koeman in conversation with the NOS know in a first response. “After the defeat against Croatia, as far as I’m concerned, there were many starting points, but then you play a first half against Italy. Then I’m not even talking about football, but about the willingness and mentality. Lazy, that’s a very good word. I blame myself because that is the worst thing that could happen to me.”
“I blame myself for not conveying it properly to the players or for not having the right players in line. I don’t want to go into the individual, but we let each other down. Nor have we been able to get angry and correct each other. Those first two goals have nothing to do with tactics, but with willingness and taking responsibility. I hated it.”
With the first goal against, Dimarco was completely released in the sixteen-meter area, allowing him to shoot freely with his left. Koeman then gets excited. “Dimarco is completely free… Then we also have a right winger, don’t we? He is then simply responsible for his left back. In this kind of situation you have to walk with your husband, that is your responsibility. In this case it’s Donyell Malen, but we’ve seen more situations like this. You can’t leave this to your defenders alone. You have to downshift.”
“Exactly the same with the second goal: Dimarco is released again and we do not join the back,” Koeman continues. “I’ve seen the images: Wieffer was actually the only one who really downshifted properly. This is the basis of a team and this is not about technical qualities. This is about willingness and I blame myself so terribly. I really felt that we had made progress. You should be very ashamed of yourself,” said the coach.