Van Dijk Says Poor Pitch For Dutch Euros Opener ‘A Shame’

Van Dijk Says Poor Pitch For Dutch Euros Opener 'A Shame'
Virgil van Dijk is disappointed by the state of the Hamburg pitch
JOHN THYS©AFP

The bad condition of the surface at the Volksparkstadion ahead of the Netherlands’ opening Euro 2024 match against Poland on Sunday is described as “a shame” by captain Virgil van Dijk.

 

The turf has caused both sides to voice concerns, as neither club used the Hamburg stadium for their most recent pre-match training session.

 

Van Dijk stated at a press conference on Saturday, “We don’t know exactly yet whether the pitch is very bad,” comparing it to the pitch used for a Netherlands friendly versus Germany in Frankfurt in March.

 

“It appears that the field is the same as it was for our encounter versus Germany in Frankfurt.

 

“It’s likely that the top layer will relax shortly. Naturally, that is unfortunate, but both teams will have to cope with it.”

 

Before heading to Hamburg, the Dutch completed their last training session at their team headquarters in Wolfsburg.

 

“We’ve decided to hold our final training session in Wolfsburg,” head coach Ronald Koeman stated. “We think that practicing in the stadium is not the best way to prepare for a game.

 

“But in the end we should not have trained here anyway because of the turf.”

 

Xavi Simons, a winger for RB Leipzig, is predicted to start under Koeman, while Jeremie Frimpong, who was a standout for Bayer Leverkusen during their historic Bundesliga and German Cup winning season, will be left out.

 

With a goal each in the two 4-0 warm-up victories over Canada and Iceland, both players are playing well.

 

Regarding Simons, Koeman remarked, “He is one of the greatest talents we currently have in the Netherlands.” “Even at such a young age, he has already started numerous games.

 

He’s still growing, and there are always ups and downs for a young athlete, particularly when they play for a national team.

 

“But we are confident that he will play a very good European Championship.” Even though the 21-year-old Simons has only scored once in his 14 international games—against Iceland earlier this week—Van Dijk is optimistic the young player will succeed.

 

“He’s capable of so much more than he currently does. The Liverpool defender remarked, “He can do much better.

 

“I don’t worry that it won’t happen; he has the correct mindset. He’ll be competing in a major tournament, and I have great faith in him.” The Dutch will be looking to start Group D strong.

 

They play France, the tournament favorites, next Friday, and then Austria on June 25.

 

 

Leave a Comment