Xavi begins his Dutch era

Xavi Hernandez begins his new adventure with the Dutch national team amidst ambitions to bring about a clear change in the team's style. The Spanish coach has confirmed his desire to see a more enthusiastic, daring, and dictating side in their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. Xavi's official debut comes when the Netherlands host Germany in Amsterdam on Thursday, marking the first test for the new coach who took over from Ronald Koeman. The team will then face Serbia in two matches, followed by an away game against Greece during the international break. From his first appearance with the national team, the Spanish coach has outlined a set of principles he wants to instill in the dressing room, foremost among them commitment, teamwork, and a proactive approach rather than waiting for the opponent. Xavi stated that he wants to build a direct relationship with the players and listen to their opinions, while simultaneously working to convince them of his tactical ideas. The new coach faces a time challenge, having had little time to get to know the players and implement his philosophy. However, he refuses to use the short preparation period as an excuse, emphasizing that all coaches face the same circumstances when taking over during international breaks. The Netherlands squad consists of 26 players, a group Xavi has met for the first time. He aims to build a cohesive team whose players feel enthusiastic about joining the national team, emphasizing that the ultimate goal remains winning. This phase comes after a disappointing performance for the Netherlands in the last World Cup, where they were eliminated by Morocco in the round of 32. This result contributed to the end of Ronald Koeman's tenure, as he faced criticism for the team's defensive approach. However, Xavi refuses to draw comparisons with his predecessor, affirming his respect for Koeman and stating that his focus is on the present and trying to give the team a different identity. The Spanish coach wants his team to play a style based on strength, speed, and passion, aiming to control the flow of matches rather than simply reacting. In one of the most important decisions made by the new coach, he decided to keep Virgil van Dijk as captain of the Dutch national team after holding a meeting with him in Liverpool to discuss his international future. Xavi confirmed that his meeting with the veteran defender was positive and frank, and that Van Dijk is still capable of contributing significantly. He believes Van Dijk possesses the qualities a leader needs within the team, including positivity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to shoulder responsibility. Van Dijk represents the most prominent element of experience in the team's rebuilding phase, as Xavi relies on blending experienced players with young talent to create a squad capable of implementing his ideas in a short period. The match against Germany will be the first test of this philosophy, giving Xavi an early opportunity to gauge his players' response to his style before a series of matches that will demand greater cohesion and stability. With the start of a new era, Xavi is raising expectations without making promises about results, simply stating that the Netherlands will approach its upcoming matches with a different spirit, constantly seeking initiative, pressing, and maintaining a fast pace, in an attempt to regain confidence and turn over a new leaf with the Oranje.