On 02:45 Beijing Time (CEST) on September 25, the Netherlands will face Germany in the first round of the UEFA Nations League A. Ahead of the match, Van Dijk attended the team's press conference, where in the second half, he responded to criticism directed at him and expressed his hopes for the new era. Related link: [Van Dijk: Playing with five defenders was not my decision; we should not have stopped at the World Cup round of 32]

Are you committing to play until Euro 2024?

Of course.

Elimination from the World Cup left bitter memories, and the players who missed penalties received a lot of racist and discriminatory abuse on social media. The Dutch Football Association has reported these cases. Will the team continue to follow up on this, or will it be put aside?

The Dutch Football Association is still following up on these cases. Racism remains a major problem, and I have experienced such incidents many times in England. Social media platforms need to find solutions. The matter is still being handled.

You are 35 years old. Many Dutch outfield players throughout history have retired at 35. You still maintain high standards and great motivation. What's your secret?

Both mental and physical effort. Every day it's about recovery, sleep, diet, and the professional team around me who take good care of me. I was a late bloomer as a player, which may also help. Last season's schedule was very demanding, and there were many issues off the pitch, but putting on the Dutch jersey again is the greatest honor for a Dutch player. I also get to be captain and play under a new coach—it's all incredible. Thank you.

If a craftsman receives unsuitable materials, he reports the problem to his superior. As captain, can't you say: "We always play this way, don't suddenly change tactics in an important match"?

Perhaps I did say something like that. There's no point dwelling on the past. What I find unacceptable is the widespread rumors that the five-defender system was my idea, and even claims that Koeman and I destroyed Dutch football. Those claims are an exaggeration.

A year and a half ago, you said that if the schedule was too congested, you would consider skipping the Nations League. Now with a new coach and a new cycle, have you set that idea aside?

Xavi explicitly stated that he needs me, and I also need him. I hope to see this new cycle through, at least to the end. I have no doubts about that.

Today your answers at the press conference were quite brief, unlike usual. Is there tension between you and the media? Will your role tomorrow differ from the Koeman era?

I don't have a problem with most of the media, but faced with false rumors circulating, I don't know how to respond. Tomorrow, my role will be similar to my role at Liverpool. People externally say the new system requires defenders to push significantly higher, but in reality, I already play very high up the pitch every week at Liverpool. I feel very comfortable with this system after these recent training sessions.

Usually, coaches consult with players when introducing a new tactical plan. Wouldn't a tactic that completely changes Dutch tradition be discussed with the captain?

Tactics are a battle plan developed by the entire coaching staff, and players execute the plan that the coaching staff believes will bring victory. Unfortunately, the results didn't meet expectations. The plan nearly worked until the 89th minute, but the reality is the team played poorly throughout the match.

Aside from the team, how do you assess your personal performance at the World Cup?

The focus was never on me personally. Football is a team sport; I don't want the spotlight on individual performances.

What are your thoughts on facing Klopp again?

I'm very much looking forward to it. He's been a very important person in my career. I ran into him again at the training ground in Dallas during the World Cup, and our conversation was very enjoyable. Both he and Koeman mean a great deal to me, and I have great respect for them. I hope we can beat him in his first match as Germany's coach tomorrow.

In your opinion, what makes Klopp exceptional?

His man-management, his ability to motivate players, his boundless energy and consistency, his skill in reading situations and handling difficulties with ease. He's an all-around coach. Don't forget his assistant Lijnders, who performed brilliantly at Manchester City last year and is equally skilled in my view. Germany has strong tactical prowess; this will be a difficult battle, but as our head coach said, we're ready.

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