Dutch national team manager Dick Advocaat spoke to the NOS after the Netherlands 4-0 defeat to France in Paris.
- By James Rowe
- Follow James on Twitter
Advocaat stated how shocked he was by how his team played and that he feels that the Netherlands must now concentrate on finishing 2nd in the group to qualify for the play-offs.
He said, ”We were not in the game tonight at all. We only created a few good chances. France were too good for us.
”In the first half France did not create as many chances as they did in the second half. It’s is clear that some of the players have difficulty at international level.
”Our midfielders gave France too much space and they were also playing against players who are worth 100 – 200 million euro in today’s market and the French players have a great speed of thought too. I also though that we were very unsure in defence.
”We must now concentrate on 2nd place and the play-offs and I believe that we have a good chance. Although we were average tonight we must now win our last three remaining games.
”We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We must pick ourselves up for Sunday against Bulgaria because if we do not win that game our chances of qualifying are finished.
”Of course you can lose against France but 4-0 is too much. I am also shocked at how we played tonight especially in ball possession we were not convincing at all.
”France did not give much away. They are very flexible and are so quick that is why their players are in such demand.”
Follow
Before the match when they announce the starting lineup and formation, I already knew disaster will happen. How on earth timothy who is a not a natural right back and promes not a left winger? They were out of position. Depay and Tete was in the squad and none was played. Looks like no one in the KNVB learned any lesson from the previous and previous lost match against France. We can’t play our usual 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 against them. Our midfield after Bommel & Nigel De Jong era is not near their standard. We don’t have the Ball winning midfielder now. Strootman has not regain his best after few injuries. Sneijder pass his best years. Wijnaldum can’t win any balls. Bottomline we lost the midfield. The french allready know how to predict Robben and they cut his game. Janssen has no match fitness/sharpness and so does Cillesen , both are not first choice in their clubs. Honestly I was glad either babel or elia will be selected but either was not selected in the final squad as I think both can still play a vital part and as a mentor to Depay. We are now on the very edge of not going to Russia after few years back not in the EURO. We are now lost and need a miracle.