According to Sport, Xavi has earned the trust of his players since taking charge of the Dutch national team.

Beyond drawing with Germany and defeating Serbia in the UEFA Nations League, the Catalan coach has also gained recognition from his Dutch players through his football philosophy and direct communication style.

Dutch international Crysencio Summerville said in an interview on Thursday ahead of the match against Greece: "He is very open and honest with everyone, and I think that shows on the pitch." Xavi praised his player in return: "He can change a game when he has the ball. He can play anywhere across the attacking line. He has the potential and ability to develop into a top player." Xavi and his players have built a strong rapport from day one.

Speaking about the match against Greece, Xavi expects a difficult evening at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. "They are a very difficult team to face and they are in good form. They pressed Serbia and defended well against Germany. They have a lot of strength and quality, especially in attack," Xavi said. He also recognized that this match will be a completely different experience from the trip to Belgrade.

Xavi stated: "I played here before, and the atmosphere is one of the best I've ever experienced on a football pitch. As group leaders, Greece will definitely be highly motivated. We can expect a difficult match with a great atmosphere, which will also be a big motivation for our players."

Xavi will be without the injured Van Hecke for this match, but he is confident the team has enough players to replace him. "We have 23 players with many alternatives available. We have enough depth to cover for him," Xavi said. The most direct replacement is Timber. The Arsenal fullback had fitness issues at the start of the international break but came off the bench against Serbia. Xavi said: "He is fit enough to play 90 minutes."

Another option is captain Van Dijk moving to the right flank. "That's also an option; he can definitely play there. I've discussed this possibility with him," Xavi said. Van Dijk previously stated that he feels more comfortable playing as a center-back, but he also explained: "If the team needs me to play in another position, I will step up without hesitation."

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