After Netherlands defeated Serbia 2-1 at home in UEFA Nations League A Round 4, Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners gave an interview to Ziggo Sport.

Journalist: Teun, could you play goalkeeper, or is that impossible?

Teun Koopmeiners: Well, I've never tried it, but who knows, maybe I could.

Journalist: I've seen you play in almost every position except goalkeeper.

Teun Koopmeiners: That's definitely true. Since the World Cup, I've played in so many different positions.

Journalist: I know you're originally a midfielder, but how do you feel about adapting to the defensive line? I know your club deploys you there regularly, but how is it for you?

Teun Koopmeiners: Actually, it's relatively easy. If you're used to the physical battles and limited space in midfield, then moving back to the defensive line where you have more space actually feels more comfortable. But in the first half, I had to adapt at times because defensively I was playing as a center-back and going forward I was pushed up as a left attacking midfielder. So I was constantly moving back and forth, and I had to judge precisely when to push forward and when to drop back and cover. Overall, today went quite well.

Journalist: There weren't any communication issues with Xavi, were there? Did he really ask you to play as a left attacking midfielder?

Teun Koopmeiners: It was really a left number 10 position. I didn't think to myself, "Forget defense, just charge forward!" No, the tactical communication was very clear. But I can't just run around blindly; I have to read the game. So initially I had to find my rhythm, but later it worked very well.

Journalist: When Van Dijk pushed forward, I saw you become almost the last center-back several times, with only you holding the defense.

Teun Koopmeiners: Yes, that's right. The game became a man-to-man marking battle overall, and the opposition played that way too. So as I said, the coach asks us to push forward aggressively to press, but we always have to be aware of the other center-back's position for cover and support. So sometimes I did end up alone in defense.

Journalist: Your long passes always find teammates accurately. I'm wondering, if your position were deeper, would those long passes become riskier? What do you think?

Teun Koopmeiners: Yes, as a midfielder, if I lose the ball, there are two teammates behind me to cover. But we still want to play attacking football. And when it works, the reward is huge. Of course, you have to weigh the benefit against the risk of each pass. But the coach always encourages us: "Pass boldly, attempt penetrating through-balls boldly, charge forward boldly to receive the ball." That's exactly the style of play I really love.

Journalist: In the second half, there was one pass that was really impressive—a one-touch pass with your left foot straight into transition. I'm not sure if you remember it...

Teun Koopmeiners: You remember when I received that ball in midfield, right?

Journalist: I think so.

Teun Koopmeiners: Yes, I received it on the left and played it straight into the open space. That's it. If you can speed up the game with one touch, that's ideal. The whole attacking tempo accelerates immediately. This is also something we focused on in training over the last two weeks. The coach repeatedly emphasizes maintaining intelligent tactical positions on the field so the ball can move much faster. Because you almost don't have to look; you know in your head that a teammate will be running into that small space to receive it.

Journalist: How does it feel to play for the Orange under Xavi? It seems he's brought a new football culture and team atmosphere. Can you share that with us?

Teun Koopmeiners: It's really good. Ultimately, welcoming a prominent foreign coach into the traditional environment of Dutch football is a new and special experience. You can really feel the changes he's bringing. We've made subtle adjustments to our playing style and injected new energy. I'm really enjoying this process. As you saw in the match, there are new elements in our tactics and new faces have joined. This kind of innovation is always exciting.

Journalist: What specific Spanish cultural details have you directly experienced?

Teun Koopmeiners: Well, for example, the schedule is more Spanish style. In the past, we Dutch people were always punctual, but now tactical meetings still start on time, but things like meals are more relaxed and flexible—everyone comes when they want. But our players seem to quite like this relatively relaxed atmosphere. It's good.

Journalist: Do you eat Spanish tapas regularly?

Teun Koopmeiners: I haven't seen a trace of it this week! I was hoping for authentic Spanish paella, but lunch was still the usual cheese sandwich. Nothing changed at all!

Journalist: Last question. Tomorrow we have Leroy Echteld (AZ Alkmaar manager) on the "Rondo" show. You know him very well, and in our eyes he's a living legend, so interviewing him is always particularly interesting. What was your impression of him at AZ Alkmaar?

Teun Koopmeiners: He's a great man. Off the pitch, he's very close with the players and very skilled at communication and team management. At the same time, he has excellent insight into football and understands deeply how to motivate players, inspire the locker room, and set match tactics. But please tell him tomorrow to scold him on my behalf and remind him to reply to my messages! He sent me a message asking for a ticket to this match, and I replied, "Yes, no problem," but then he went completely silent.

Journalist: Really?

Teun Koopmeiners: Of course! That ticket... I don't even know if he came to today's match. He probably stood me up.

Journalist: He asked you for a ticket to the Netherlands match?

Teun Koopmeiners: Yes, he texted me this morning asking "Got a ticket?" and I replied, "Of course." But two hours later, nothing. So you really have to scold him on the show tomorrow!

Journalist: Leroy's behavior was really inconsiderate!

Teun Koopmeiners: Haha, sometimes he's a bit casual and careless, but that's also part of his charm.

AI 번역.

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