Dutch national team manager Ronald Koeman spoke to the NOS after his team’s 1-1 draw against Italy.
- By James Rowe
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Netherlands rode their luck in a goalless first half. They improved after the break but fell behind to a Simone Zaza goal. Dominic Criscito then saw red for the Italians before Nathan Ake headed in a late equaliser to earn Oranje a draw.
Koeman said on the match, ”I thought that Italy could have scored earlier than they actually did. I thought that we conceded in a period where we were playing better.
”In the first half, we did not play well in terms of giving the ball away when in possession. We did not provide much of a threat in an attacking sense.
”In the second half we played much better and I believe that a draw is a fair result.
”There were moments when we gave the ball away so much in the first half where I was amazed because I know that my players can do better.”
”We must be much fresher in future but it might also have to do with playing a match at the end of a long club season.
”We showed more initiative and movement in the second half. We must improve a lot in order to qualify for a major tournament.
”We have played three away matches and we have not lost away from home yet but I will admit that we were average in the first-half tonight.”
Looking to the future, Koeman said he has almost decided his squad for the UEFA Nations League, but won’t tell it to the media, ”I am clear in the type of team that I want to pick in the autumn but I will keep that for myself and reveal that to my players first and not the national media.
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