Xavi Hernández, in his first week as head coach of the Netherlands national football team, expressed satisfaction with his initial results but emphasized the need for greater attacking intensity in upcoming matches. The Spanish World Cup winner took charge last week, overseeing two Nations League fixtures that ended in a late draw against Germany and a victory over Serbia.

The Dutch side secured a 2-2 draw with Germany in Amsterdam last Thursday, with sustained offensive pressure leading to a late equalizer. This was followed by a 2-1 win against Serbia on Sunday, marking the first victory under Xavi’s leadership. Despite the positive results, the coach acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in the team’s pressing during the first half against Serbia.

“It is always most important to get the three points, I’m happy that we managed to do that. But we do need to play better, because, especially in the first half, we did not press well,” Xavi said after the game. He highlighted the need for the team to exploit attacking spaces more effectively, expand the width of their play, and increase the speed of their ball movement.

Striker Mexx Meerdink, representing AZ Alkmaar, made a notable impression in his early appearances under Xavi. Having made his debut as a substitute against Germany, Meerdink scored both goals in the win over Serbia in his first starting role. “Mexx is a very hard worker who understands how we want to play,” Xavi remarked. “He helped the team with more than just his goals, although those certainly helped. The work he did for the team was fantastic.”

Looking ahead, the Netherlands are scheduled to face Greece in Thessaloniki on Thursday, followed by a home fixture against Serbia in Eindhoven on Sunday. Xavi remains focused on refining the team’s offensive approach as they prepare for these matches. He noted that while the squad is creating numerous chances and players are adapting well to his tactical structure, there is room for improvement in making the pitch wider and quicker ball circulation.

Overall, Xavi’s managerial debut week combined steady results with ongoing tactical adjustments as he aims to instill a more dynamic attacking style in the Dutch national team.