Xavi: Netherlands is 'better' than Klopp's Germany

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man

The debut of two weight trainers

The Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam hosted last Thursday (24/09/2026) a match with an event atmosphere: the first game of Xavi at the helm of the Netherlands and Jürgen Klopp ahead of Germany.

The score was opened by Felix Nmecha in the 32nd minute of the first half.

Cancelled goal, injury and Xavi's message

If on the one hand the ex-Barcelona coach left the field satisfied, on the other he had two concerns. The first: forward Brian Brobbey left the game still in the first half and fails the team for the remaining three games of the Nations League window. Xavi confirmed that he will need to call a replacement.

The second were the two goals conceded: Virgil van Dijk 's header in the first half, invalidated by Brobbey's irregularity over goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen , and a goal from Mexx Meerdink who had entered instead of Brobbay cancelled after confusion in the German area.

"Today we were better than Germany. In the second half we showed our way of playing", said the coach, who considered the first half balanced and saw the players "nervous" for debuting under new leadership but praised the ambition and winning mentality of the group, in addition to the performance of the narrow that entered during the match.

Next challenge is Serbia on Sunday.

Despite a good second half, Xavi claimed evolution for the match against Serbia away from home on Sunday: "We need to improve in many things split balls, duels, score better".

Outside the field, the coach was also celebrated by the Dutch fans. "I was very grateful, it was my first game. Maybe I didn't deserve this reception but the atmosphere was fantastic. Thank you all", he thanked.

Where are we ? The match against Serbia this Sunday will be the first full test of the model that the coach wants to implement and the first chance to turn a good second half into victory.