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Spain and the Netherlands will conflict this Thursday in Rotterdam within the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, with the return match set for Sunday in Valencia.
Ronald Koeman, former Barcelona participant and supervisor, now accountable for the Netherlands nationwide crew, spoke to the media concerning the upcoming fixture and his former membership.
Enormous reward for Lamine Yamal
Like Frenkie de Jong in the course of the press convention, Koeman too was filled with reward for Lamine Yamal, who might be one of many gamers to be careful for when the Oranje face Spain tomorrow.
“Sure, he’s a particular participant. For a coach, it’s very particular to have that form of participant as a result of they’ve plenty of high quality and are in a position to win video games,” mentioned Koeman.
“I had the chance to work with Messi, and it was superb, as a result of this sort of participant is phenomenal. I hope that at some point Yamal can obtain what Messi did with Barcelona, as a result of Messi has had a big impact on this membership,” he continued.
“I hope the younger gamers can win plenty of trophies, after which Frenkie will have the ability to win plenty of trophies with them.”
On how his crew can cease Lamine tomorrow, Koeman added: “In soccer, it isn’t all the time potential to defend towards everybody. That’s the high quality of such a expertise.”
“However you can also make positive as a crew you can put strain ahead and the individuals who should serve him can’t serve him. Shut down the within.”
Koeman in awe of Lamine Yamal. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
On Pedri and others
Koeman, throughout his time as Barcelona supervisor, was chargeable for giving first-team debuts to younger abilities like Pedri, Gavi, and Alejandro Balde, who at the moment are key gamers for the membership.
“I’m very blissful to have given them their Barcelona debut however the credit score goes to them as a result of they’re nice gamers,” mentioned Koeman.
“It was good to present them their debut and to have the ability to see how they’ve developed,” he added.
On being requested if he was conscious of Yamal’s expertise and potential whereas he was nonetheless at Barcelona, Koeman famous:
“You all the time hear about that in fact. However once I was there we introduced Pedri, Gavi, Balde, Mingueza. All of them joined the primary crew as effectively and are having nice careers.
“There’s plenty of expertise, and that’s crucial for the membership, particularly with their funds bettering. However throughout my time there, the monetary state of affairs was very troublesome. So, it’s crucial for the membership to proceed to develop these nice abilities.”
Pedri spoke about Koeman in a latest interview, claiming that he was wanting ahead to their reunion in the course of the worldwide break.
On being requested if he receives messages from the Barcelona midfielder, Koeman replied:
“No, no messages from Spain. That contact will get diluted a bit. Good to see, to listen to from gamers like that, since you gave them their debut. That’s all the time a second for somebody to recollect. A agency handshake tomorrow, that’s it.”
The Dutch head coach additionally commented on the potential of Frenkie de Jong, now totally match after recovering from a abdomen bug, enjoying 90 minutes towards Spain, saying:
“If he performs effectively… Certain that will be good, at his membership he did repeatedly as effectively. We’ve to see that in the course of the match, how he feels.”
Supply: YouTube/OnsOranje
