Georginio Wijnaldum understands that the Dutch media were critical after the 2-2 draw against Scotland. The thirty-year-old midfielder says after the 3-0 friendly international match against Georgia in conversation with the Georgië NOS that this has been discussed within the selection of the Dutch. Wijnaldum states that the players of the Dutch national team should not run away from this criticism.
“It went well at times”, Wijnaldum analyzes the victory in the goodbye match. “Things that went wrong against Scotland went right now. We made a few mistakes, which gave them opportunities. At halftime the coach showed it and I don’t think we were in trouble in the second half. In football things are decided on small points, so we have to minimize the risk and work hard on it.”
“They played with a defensive midfielder and two alternating midfielders, which made it easier to put pressure on the middle man,” the the Dutch captain continues. Against Georgia, the Dutch national team again appeared in a 5-3-2 formation. “It worked well today, but if you’re playing against better opponents, maybe you should do it differently. We have to see how we can best put pressure on each game.”
“We have talked about it and we know that the media and the Netherlands are critical. I told the boys it’s okay if you play like we played against Scotland. You shouldn’t run away from that, I said that,” Wijnaldum says. “Of course you have to see what can help you through the tournament, you shouldn’t take everything they say. But the media in the Netherlands is allowed to be critical when you play such a pot. Only in addition, we must have the confidence to do better. We did that and matches like this are good, then you can do things that went less well in the previous match.”
A fat and a rare insufficient in the the Dutch farewell match
Voetbalzone gave the players of the Dutch national team a score after the game against Georgia.
“When you hear that he spoke up after the game against Scotland and addressed the boys, he is one of the leaders,” concludes Theo Janssen in the studio of the NOS after seeing the interview with Wijnaldum. “But I think Memphis is too. And I think Blind is also very important for the Dutch national team. But the real leader was Virgil van Dijk, so he is not there. I think there are several, not one. They determine which way it goes. When I look at the field, everyone hands in the ball to Memphis. He determines how we play. Also in football, creating chances, he is the most important player we have.”
“Wijnaldum often comes across as a modest and calm boy,” adds fellow analyst Pierre van Hooijdonk. “To a large extent that is true, but he has developed as a player. I think, and rightly so, that he now has something to say with his career and track record. With his experience alone, he is one of the leaders within the Dutch national team.”
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