WOLFSBURG, Germany (Reuters) – The Netherlands have been through a renewal process after analysing their poor performance in the first round at the European Championship, striker Memphis Depay said on Sunday, as they look ahead to their next match.
The Dutch had a thorough post mortem after losing their final group game last Tuesday against Austria in Berlin, a result that dropped them to third in the group, sending them through to a round of 16 clash with Romania in Munich on Tuesday.
“The tournament is only starting now,” Depay said of the knockout stages, which kicked off on Saturday and have seen Germany and Switzerland progress.
“We must ensure that we learn from our mistakes. We had discussions and criticised each other and it is normal that there is friction if the results do not go as you want them to go. It’s logical that there will be irritations.
“But that’s behind us now. There’s a good spirit among the group and we are looking forward.”
Against Austria, where he scored a goal, Depay played his first 90 minutes this season after an injury-filled campaign at Atletico Madrid.
“It has to be better, but I was satisfied in the last match. I won my duels, although I didn’t get much of the ball. It can only get better from here.”
Before the game there was criticism of Depay’s form, but coach Ronald Koeman was quick to dispel any doubt over the striker’s place in the starting lineup.
“I feel the coach’s confidence and I would like to repay him. It is of course important that you have support from the gentleman who selects the lineup,” Depay told a press conference.
Asked what he thought an appropriate tally of goals for a striker at the Euros would be, Depay said: “It’s not about numbers. If you score one in the final, it will be the most important goal of your career.”
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Hugh Lawson)