In the third round of the UEFA Nations League A, the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Greece away from home. After the match, Dutch coach Xavi attended a press conference to answer media questions.

Can you tell us what exactly happened in the first half? Because that was a really poor first half.

Yes, I agree with you. I have to be honest, I think that is my responsibility. My tactical setup for the team in the first half was problematic. We didn't perform well in terms of structure, and our attacking organization struggled in the first half. We absolutely didn't need to have two defensive midfielders behind and in the middle at the same time. At halftime, I tried to restructure the team's tactical setup, and we performed very well in the second half, in terms of winning mentality, desire, and the spirit shown. I think that's the right direction, an excellent response. Although it ended in a draw, the team should have been able to win the match entirely based on our second-half performance. We created many chances. Yes, this team really showed two completely different faces. But that's my mistake, and I take responsibility. Clearly, the tactical system in the first half was not the way we should have been playing.

So in your view, this was more about the initial lineup setup being wrong rather than substitutions working effectively?

No, but in my opinion, it wasn't an issue with individual players, but rather with the overall structure, with positioning, and with how we were playing in our set positions in the first half. Yes... I must insist on this, I have to insist, and I want to be honest with you and the players. I told the players exactly the same thing: forget the first half, that was my mistake. Then we restructured our tactical formation, and we played very well in the second half, with much more fluid attacking play and many chances created. Yes, I was more satisfied with the team's response, and I think the players understood very well what we needed today.

I'm somewhat surprised. It's not very common for a head coach to openly admit mistakes; it's quite rare.

What's rare?

For a coach to admit that he made a mistake.

Yes, I did make a mistake, that's all.

That's refreshing.

Refreshing?

Yes.

No, not for me. Not for me. I have to be honest with the players. Yes, I don't like blaming the players. It's not a player issue, but an issue with the tactical system, positioning on the field, and formation adjustment. Yes, we performed very well in attack in the second half, doing it very well, very good. That's the team we want to see. The first and second halves showed completely different performances.

Okay, last question. So for you, which half carries more weight? The first half or the second half?

Which one, sorry?

Which half is more important to you: the first half or the second half? Which half matters more: the first half or the second half?

No, I think both halves of today's match are important, because I need to understand the players better, and this is just the beginning. Yes, you know, this is a necessary process, it's a learning process. I think it's only a matter of time before we get the players in the right positions at the right time. But either way, today was a very good learning experience for me as head coach and for the players.

Okay, maybe I need to be clearer. When you speak with the players tomorrow, will you focus on the first half or the second half?

Both halves. Both will be discussed. I already spoke with them at halftime and after the match. But tomorrow we'll have plenty of time to discuss everything, including match mentality. Yes, we shouldn't play with fear, we shouldn't be afraid. Football is meant to be enjoyed, and that's what I want to show the players on the field. Now the responsibility is on me, that's what I want to convey to the players.

Reporter: Did your previous understanding and assessment of the Greek team prove correct during the match?

Yes, of course. They played very well. They set up a solid and aggressive 4-4-2 low defensive block, and they were effective at delivering the ball to their two strikers. Their wingers also pushed forward very quickly on the counterattack. They did excellent work changing play, cutting inside, and quickly spreading the field. We certainly struggled in the first half. In the second half, we controlled the game better and played more aggressively. But either way, Greece is indeed a very good team.

After this match, Greece still sits top of the table. So do you think this means they can be considered favorites to qualify to some extent? Or has their qualification hopes diminished after this draw?

No, no, their strength is real, this is pure football. They really have every chance to qualify because they play very well, no doubt about it.

Coach, you're very demanding of yourself, but the reality is we've seen this type of match for years. The opponent builds a tight defense, and then, as you said, connects with one or two strikers, with wingers pushing forward on the counterattack, and then the Netherlands struggles. So we feel the problem lies more in how the Netherlands handles this type of game, and regardless of who the coach is, this problem keeps recurring. Yet you're taking all the responsibility on yourself.

Yes, I think that's my responsibility. For what happened in the first half, and the subsequent adjustments and response, as a coach, I'm naturally also responsible for the second-half performance. But the key lies in positioning, in understanding the distribution of tasks on the field, in how we organize our attacks, and the defensive balance is also very important. Of course, we conceded goals in the first half due to serious mistakes, both of them. But more importantly, we created no chances in the first half at all. In the second half, although I don't have specific data, you could count how many clear scoring opportunities we created. We scored four goals, two of which were disallowed. We turned it around, and the reason we could do that is because of the restructured formation and correct positioning.

Coach, you just said you made a mistake in the first half, but the team faced many absences of key players like Gakpo. If those absent players were on the field today, do you think the first half would have been different?

No, I don't think so. Not at all. That's not an excuse, because we have many great players in our squad, and we also showed the best in the second half.

Dumfries' goal was disallowed for offside. Dumfries said it shouldn't have been offside because the Greek defender was in control of the ball at that moment. What's your opinion on that decision?

Yes, it's difficult to judge, because you know, Greece would certainly say it was offside, and we could say it wasn't offside. At this point, it's entirely up to the referee's discretion, and he decided that it was a continuation of the same attacking sequence, and the player was in an offside position when the ball was touched, so what else can you do? But we didn't draw just because of this one decision.

So you can't judge whether it was the right or wrong decision?

You have to ask the referee, because he's the one who made the decision.

But you were on the field at that moment; can you understand what Dumfries was thinking then?

Of course not at all. Yes, it's a matter of subjective judgment.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

Situs web AF kini hadir! Lihat berita lengkap, komentar, detail pertandingan, dan statistik di komputer Anda. Kunjungi: www.allfootballapp.com