Koopmeiners targets the Netherlands and Nations League quarter-final

The 28‑year‑old midfielder Teun Koopmeiners has a busier week than ever: on Thursday AZ plays, on Sunday Fiorentina, and on Monday he departs for the Netherlands for two internationals with the Dutch national team, aiming for two victories and a place in the quarter‑finals of the UEFA Nations League.

He says he wants to focus entirely on a quick transition. He states: “We are aiming for two wins and qualification for the quarter‑finals of the UEFA Nations League.” He emphasizes that the focus is entirely on the Netherlands.

Busy schedule and immediate transition

Early on Monday morning he arrived home from the away match against Fiorentina. He explains: “We often play at nine o’clock. From Florence we travelled by train to Turin after the match.” En route he watched the AZ match against FC Groningen, which ended 4‑3, and then went straight to the KNVB Campus in Zeist. It was already four a.m. when he was still on the road.

The match between Juventus and Fiorentina ended in a 2‑2 draw. In Serie A Juventus sit in seventh place after eleven rounds.

He says: “Personally I am satisfied. I play a lot.” He adds that he is reasonably pleased with the start of the season, but that the league performances need to improve.

Club performances and personal focus

He notes that there is almost no chance to reflect during this period. He points out that there are only three days between matches, leaving little time to analyse the previous game.

Three days before the clash with Fiorentina he helped Juventus to a 1‑2 victory over his former club AZ in the UEFA Europa League. His younger brother Peer Koopmeiners left the field as the loser.

He laughs: “He’ll be hearing that for years to come.” He adds that they are both competitively minded and that he can still rely on his brother.

After the match he spent half an hour in AZ’s dressing room before giving several interviews. The club’s media staff were dissatisfied because they could only leave late that evening.

He regards his versatility as an asset: “It’s an asset for me. It has helped me with the Netherlands in tournaments.” He also enjoys the current situation at Juventus, where he plays five or six games in a row in the same position.

Coach Luciano Spalletti deploys him as a central midfielder. He explains that a fixed role brings more stability and continuity, but that he feels comfortable in any position.

He notes that for the Netherlands the lineup is announced one and a half hours before kickoff, just like with Spalletti. He says he has no problem with that.

He has nothing to complain about the working method of national coach Xavi. He finds the Spanish football culture close to the Dutch, especially regarding the style of play on the pitch.

He points out differences in training drills, positional play, attacking patterns, the role of full‑backs and wide wingers. He notes that Dutch youth are raised in a similar way, making the transition easier.

He recalls that the previous international window, when the squad was together longer, was ideal for adapting. He concludes that it now feels right.