Xavi Hernández tests own approach with the Dutch, Van de Ven reacts

Xavi Hernández has been appointed as the new head coach of the Dutch national team and is implementing his own methods from day one, an approach that does not seem to resonate equally well with everyone in the Dutch national team. The reactions became clear during the press conference in Belgrade, where defender Micky van de Ven shared his first impressions.

Van de Ven shares first impressions

During the press conference in Belgrade, Van de Ven said that he “has never experienced it before” and that “it really takes some getting used to, nice to experiment with”, according to the Tottenham Hotspur defender.

He added that he had heard from some fellow coaches that “it is something Spanish, it occurs more often with Spanish managers”, and that, if he could choose, he would prefer to hear it earlier, but it does not matter much to him.

Nations League: the Oranje meets Serbia on 27 September in Belgrade

Xavi Hernández responded to the comments and said that as a player he found it unpleasant to know long before a match that he would not play, a situation he now wants to avoid for his players.

In Belgrade, Serbia awaits a change compared to the match against Germany, where striker Brian Brobbey was injured against the Die Mannschaft; possible starters for the upcoming match are Mexx Meerdink or Joshua Zirkzee, depending on the final decision.

The final lineup will be announced around half past four, after which it will become clear whether Xavi Hernández chooses a different tactical setup for the Nations League clash with Serbia.