Van Dijk Addresses Netherlands' Critique Amid Euro 2024 Unbeaten Streak

Netherlands captain Virgil Van Dijk acknowledges the criticism his team has faced at Euro 2024, despite remaining unbeaten. The Dutch secured a point in their last match against France after a goalless draw. They had previously come from behind to win their opening Group D game against Poland.

In the match against France, the Netherlands recorded their lowest possession figure in a Euros game since 1980, with just 37%. Despite this, excluding shootouts, the Oranje have lost only one of their last 18 games at major international tournaments. This loss came at Euro 2020 against Czechia, with a record of 12 wins and five draws.

Van Dijk and his teammates faced criticism from pundits and newspaper columnists after the game against France. However, the Liverpool captain remained unfazed by these comments. "Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion, that's fine," he said. "It doesn't bother me; it's part of football. If it irritated me, I would have a very unpleasant life."

Van Dijk emphasised that expectations are high within the team as well. "We have a good team; I sincerely think so. We want to show it in big matches," he stated. After the match against France, the players discussed what needed improvement. "We can and must do better than we did against France," he added.

The Netherlands will face Austria in Berlin on Tuesday to conclude their group campaign. Ronald Koeman's side knows that if they match or better France's result against Poland, they will finish top of Group D ahead of the knockout stages.

Despite the criticism, Van Dijk remains optimistic about their chances in the tournament. "We can still make progress in this European Championship," he said. The team is focused on improving and performing better in upcoming matches.

The Dutch team's resilience and determination will be crucial as they aim for success in Euro 2024. Their ability to bounce back from criticism and work towards improvement is a testament to their strong team spirit and leadership under Van Dijk.

Working towards matchday three! #NothingLikeOranje #NEDAUT pic.twitter.com/ik0W2ypyU0

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 23, 2024