Ronald Koeman wants Dutch team to toughen up before Euro 2024 qualifiers

AMSTERDAM – Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman wants to see a tougher mental approach from his players, after a disappointing start to his new tenure with the team in 2023.

The Dutch have lost three of four games since the 60-year-old replaced Louis van Gaal in January, including both matches at the Nations League finals which they hosted in June.

They resume their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Thursday with a Group B clash against Greece in Eindhoven, before a trip to Dublin on Sunday to take on the Republic of Ireland.

"It's a very nice atmosphere in the squad, you can see that when the players join up together,” Koeman said.

“But you also have to be tougher on each other. I think the players don’t correct each other enough. If the fullback lets the opposing winger run past, on multiple occasions, you have to say something about it. It is about communication.”

The Dutchman added that the recent poor results had been a “big backwards step” and said he hoped the players realised the importance of the two qualifiers over the next six days.

“We are going to change some things in the form of putting pressure on the opponent,” he said. “You shouldn’t close your eyes to the number of goals we have conceded. It seems logical to me that we would want to change that.

"It feels like we have something to put right, not only in terms of game, but also especially in terms of results. But I have every confidence that it will be all right on Thursday.”

The Dutch have played two Group B games, losing 4-0 to France and then recording a mediocre 3-0 home win over Gibraltar in March. In June, they lost to Croatia and Italy at home in the Nations League finals.

Koeman will have to do without Memphis Depay and Steven Bergwijn, though.

Depay suffered an injury last week in Atletico Madrid's 7-0 drubbing of Rayo Vallecano, which rules him out of the Dutch squad again, having also missed the Nations League finals.

Bergwijn is also injured, having missed out last Thursday for Ajax Amsterdam against Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League play-offs.

Also in Group B, in which the French have four wins from four, Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson will not play in Ireland’s qualifiers owing to a knee injury, the Football Association of Ireland said on Tuesday.

The Irish take on France at the Parc des Princes on Thursday and Les Bleus will be relieved, as Ferguson scored a hat-trick in Brighton’s 3-1 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League last Saturday before he was injured.
REUTERS, AFP