'We need to play better': Dutch boss chasing progress after positive first week

[p]The Spanish World Cup winner wants the Dutch side playing ‌with more of the attacking intensity that paid ‌off last Thursday when their persistent forays forced a late ‌equaliser against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a] in Amsterdam.[/p][p]This was followed by ‌their first victory under [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/xavi/bs5KnIiT/"]Xavi[/a], a 2-1 defeat of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/serbia/8Kl6iq0i/"]Serbia[/a] on Sunday.[/p][p][b]“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," he said.[/b][/p][p][b]“Nevertheless, I'm very satisfied after a week of work.”[/b][/p][p]Xavi ​singled out [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/az-alkmaar/2RxOow1i/"]AZ Alkmaar[/a] striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/meerdink-mexx/OjqNXAED/"]Mexx Meerdink[/a], who made his a debut as a substitute against Germany and ⁠then marked his ​first start for the Dutch by scoring both goals against Serbia.[/p][p][b]“Mexx is a very hard worker who understands how we want to play," Xavi said.[/b][/p][p][b]“He helped the team ‌with more than just his goals, although those certainly helped. The work he did for the team was fantastic.”[/b][/p][p]The Dutch side face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/greece/COuk57Ci/"]Greece[/a] next, in Thessaloniki on Thursday, then entertain Serbia in Eindhoven on Sunday. Xavi was clear about where improvements on last week were needed.[/p][p][b]“For example, there were many moments when we needed to attack the spaces, but we didn’t do it. ‌That is something we need to improve. But also ​things such as making the pitch wider and moving ‌the ball around more quickly," he said.[/b][/p][p][b]“But the most important thing is that we are creating a lot of chances. The players feel comfortable on the pitch with the structure we are playing ⁠in, so a lot ⁠of things are also ‌going well."[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/greece-COuk57Ci/netherlands-WYintcWb/?mid=UcYKxC0B"]Follow the Netherlands' match against Greece with Flashscore.[/a][/p][infobox id="5a8fbd57-e97c-4bdc-9f6b-fb0fb254e893" /]