Euro Qualifiers: The Netherlands finally had something to cheer for after getting thrashed by France in the first qualifier game for Euro 2024. The Dutch team registered their first victory of the campaign in the 2nd game only against Gibraltar. However, the difference between their opponents were clear and not everyone was happy with the performance. Netherland’s two greats even criticized the team Captain, Virgil van Dijk after the game against France. Follow UEFA Euro Qualifiers LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
Marco van Basten after the game pointed out at van Dijk that he was only “making noise but not saying anything” and “creating chaos that leads to misunderstandings.” Basten’s former teammate Ruud Gullit had the same words and he said, “thinks he is better than the rest.”
Liverpool defender wasn’t really agreeing to the sort of criticism he received and after the game against Gibraltar, he replied back. The defender said, “Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion these days, that’s the case. Did I set the bar unrealistically high? I was never perfect. But we’ve had a lot of success with the team. Football players [Van Basten and Gullit] know that better than anyone, have high peaks and deep valleys.”
Euro Qualifiers: Virgil van Dijk HIT back at Van Basten Criticism, claims ‘We are not robots’
“It’s quite normal that you can’t always play consistently. That you have a phase as a club or player where you are looking for your level. People should not forget that. It is normal that people make mistakes; it is part of football and that it is very human,” van Dijk added.
🚨 – Gullit: "We [Gullit & Van Basten] are positively criticizing Virgil van Dijk. He is part of the Team of the Year right? He got his nice award right? Then show yourself to us! If he's still worth it? Everyone believes so, but I don't." [@ZiggoSport] pic.twitter.com/G7bVvAD3TR
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) March 28, 2023
van Dijk accepted the fact this is a tough time for his club and clarified that he is positive about his future and will be playing his best game. He concluded by saying, “We are not robots. Let’s not forget that. Maybe people sometimes forget that.”
The 31-year-old will be returning to Liverpool as his international duty for this term is now over and will return in June.
