Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has rubbished the \u201cutter nonsense\u201d claim that he decided on a tactical shift at the World Cup and therefore \u201cdestroyed Dutch football\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands switched to five at the back for their Round of 32 game against Morocco, which saw them draw 1-1 before losing 3-2 on penalties.<\/p>\n
Manager Ronald Koeman defended the call after their exit amid significant criticism from the Dutch media, and now Van Dijk has had his say ahead of their Nations League clash against Germany on Thursday, in one of his spikier press conferences.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of your colleagues also said, of course, that it was my idea to switch to playing with a back five. That is utter nonsense,\u201d Van Dijk told one reporter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact is we simply failed at the World Cup. Those are the hard facts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t play a good World Cup. It\u2019s not about me. You perform together; you\u2019re a team. Your claim that I destroyed Dutch football after the World Cup \u2014 that sort of thing is completely baseless.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plan is devised by the staff. Nonsense is being spread so that I look even worse. That happens far too often.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was told that it was my fault we played with five, that Ronald Koeman and I have destroyed Dutch football.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plan worked for 89 minutes, even though it was a bad match. We almost broke through. The idea that I destroyed Dutch football makes absolutely no sense. I didn\u2019t decide that.\u201d
\nXavi steps in<\/p>\n
It was thought Van Dijk might retire from international football after the World Cup, but says he was quick to decide to continue after speaking with new boss Xavi.<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed a holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach: After 10 seconds it was already clear that I would continue,\u201d the defender added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat he said? That I am Virgil van Dijk. It is about trust, appreciation, how important you are for the team. Physically there is \u2014 and was \u2014 no doubt but you also want to feel appreciation and pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old could win his 100th cap in the current international break if he plays in all four of the Netherlands\u2019 Nations League matches against Germany, Greece and Serbia (twice).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"