Netherlands coach Xavi demands improvement 'in all sorts of areas' despite unbeaten start

[p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/netherlands/WYintcWb/"]Netherlands[/a]' 2-1 [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/netherlands-WYintcWb/serbia-8Kl6iq0i/?mid=0OieMjGU"]Nations League victory[/a] over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/serbia/8Kl6iq0i/"]Serbia[/a] ‌on Sunday took them top of Group A2 ‌and gave them a strong chance of advancing to the ‌quarter-finals in March.[/p][p][b]“We fought like a family. We really ‌had to suffer,”[/b] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/xavi/bs5KnIiT/"]Xavi[/a] said.[/p][p][b]“We had to defend, but we actually wanted to play possession football. But we couldn’t do that, ‌and we couldn’t get a grip ⁠on the game because ‌of Serbia, who did that really well.[/b][/p][p][b]“But when we switched to ​a different formation, things got better,”[/b] the Spanish World Cup winner added.[/p][embed guid="9d4d508a-f78e-469d-9873-da80777be259" url="https://x.com/OnsOranje/status/2107096039794819444" social-type="twitter" /][p]Xavi had the Netherlands play ​in different formations through his first four games, which started with a home draw against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a], followed by ⁠an away win ​over Serbia and a come-from-behind 2-2 draw in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/greece/COuk57Ci/"]Greece[/a] last Thursday.[/p][p][b]“We now know how to dominate games in different ways. But we also know how to defend at times ‌in a low block or a mid-block,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]“In terms of our core values, I’m very satisfied. The players are wonderful people. But in footballing terms, we need to improve in all sorts of areas.”[/b][/p][p]The Netherlands conceded a goal for a 12th consecutive match on Sunday and Xavi said they were working on becoming harder to score against.[/p][p][b]“The most important thing is that ‌we score one more than the opponent, but we ​want a clean sheet. That takes time,"[/b] he added.[/p][p][b]“I’m ‌going to get some rest now first, because it was intense.[/b][/p][p][b]“I’ll continue to keep an eye on everyone. We are creating a family.”[/b][/p][p]The Dutch next face Greece in Amsterdam on November 13 before a ⁠trip to Berlin to ⁠take on Germany three ‌days later.[/p][infobox id="5a8fbd57-e97c-4bdc-9f6b-fb0fb254e893" /]