Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez shouldered full blame for his side’s sluggish start following a 2–2 draw against Greece in Thessaloniki, admitting his tactical setup during the opening 45 minutes failed to create chances. Speaking to broadcasters after the match, the Spanish manager conceded that his initial lineup lacked the necessary personnel to unlock the Greek defense before a tactical reshuffle at halftime salvaged a point for Oranje.
Tactical Missteps in Thessaloniki
Xavi was blunt in his post-match assessment regarding his strategic decisions.
“It was my fault as coach. The opstelling was perhaps not right after all. We needed two players to create chances. That is something we were able to change at the halftime break,” Xavi told the NOS camera after the final whistle.
The manager added that he made a point of addressing his players directly to clear the air regarding the tactical failures. “I try to be honest. I also said that to the players. Sorry, I think it was my fault. We are going to restructure the team,” he said.
Shifting Mentality After the Break
Beyond the tactical errors on the tactics board, Xavi pointed to an alarming lack of ambition among the squad during the opening period. While acknowledging that the formation was flawed, he emphasized that the players’ mentality also required a drastic correction.
“There was not enough ambition. It was important to seize chances, but in the first half we did nothing. The lineup was not right, but we also had to change the mentality,” Xavi noted.
The second half brought a starkly different complexion to the match. Oranje launched a strong response that produced two goals, evening the scoreline before the referee signaled the end of regulation. “We showed a great reaction in the second half. I am happy with the second half. That is the ambition I want to see. But ultimately, I am never satisfied with a draw,” Xavi stated.
Calmness in the Locker Room
Despite the dismal opening 45 minutes, the manager opted against raising his voice during the interval. Instead, he focused on structural adjustments while keeping his composure in front of a dejected squad.
“I was calm. The players were a bit sad about how it had gone. I had to restructure the team. That worked out. The system was different, but the ambition and mentality were different too,” Xavi explained.
Reflecting on the Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of the performance, the coach framed the 90 minutes as part of a wider developmental curve. “We showed two faces. That is part of the process. We need to understand the players better,” he said.
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