Frenkie de Jong: Netherlands targeting Euro title after World Cup ‘final test’

Frenkie de Jong says the World Cup was the Netherlands’ last true test as Ronald Koeman’s side continue their push to compete for the European Championship title.

The Netherlands moved top of their UEFA Nations League group with a 7-0 victory over Greece in the fifth round, leaving them two points clear of their rivals with 11 points.

De Jong was substituted after the Netherlands had established a 5-0 lead, but said the decision was precautionary as he continues to manage his return from injury.

“My substitution was precautionary,” De Jong told reporters after the match. “The score was 5-0 and, of course, I had just returned from injury and everything was fine. But with all this travelling, the international matches and, given my history, there was no need to take a risk.”

The Barcelona midfielder said the result reflected the way the Netherlands carried out their plan, from their positioning to their finishing.

“Winning against Greece? We simply did the right things,” he said. “From the way we took up our positions, and of course we also finished the chances we created, everything went as we wanted.”

De Jong said the team’s approach was based on attacking football, constructing play from defence and applying pressure high up the pitch.

“The vision is clear,” he added. “We want to attack, build from the back and press high. We want to be in control, but there is still a long way to go.”

The 26-year-old believes the World Cup represented the Netherlands’ most demanding examination so far, although the team fell short of their ambition at that tournament.

“Our last real test was at the World Cup, but we were still a long way from where we wanted to be, which was winning a tournament,” De Jong said.

“We are simply in a period of continuous improvement so that we become good enough. Hopefully, in two years, we can compete for the European Championship.”

The Netherlands will face Germany in their final group match, with the result set to determine the two qualifying places for the quarter-finals.

Greece are second in the group on nine points, two behind the Netherlands, meaning the final round will decide which teams progress.