Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Xavi conceded a “very bad” first half from the Netherlands was down to mistakes he made in his preparation for Thursday’s clash with Greece.
The Netherlands found themselves 2-0 down at half-time at Stadio Toumbas.
But goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders saw them battle back to rescue a point and maintain their unbeaten start under Xavi.
However, the Barcelona great admitted he got things wrong in the first half.
“The first half was very bad. That was my mistake, as a coach,” Xavi told NOS.
“There was no intensity, rhythm, and not even ambition. We talked about that. It was important to create chances from the start. But that didn’t work at all in the first half. It is my fault how I organised the team in the first half.”
Xavi made four changes compared to the team that started against Serbia in the Oranje’s previous Nations League outing.
Asked if that was too many alterations, he said: “Maybe. That’s why I say it’s my fault. I’m happy with the second half.”
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) October 2, 2026
Reijnders, Ryan Gravenberch and Noa Lang were all introduced at half-time, and the Netherlands swiftly got on the front foot.
The Netherlands had 14 shots after the break, allowing just one going the other way, and created chances worth 0.71 expected goals.
“The second half, that is how we want to play,” Xavi added.
He said: “In the second half, we showed how we want to play, how we want to defend, and that we can turn things around. But we also have to be realistic.
“The first half was obviously just bad. Why is that? I think you mainly have to look within yourself. The basics: winning duels, being firmer on the ball, making the right choices. Instead of looking through the middle, playing around it, as we agreed. Only, that didn’t happen.
“Unfortunately, that happens sometimes in football too. Then it’s about how you react. How we played in the second half; that is a pretty good reaction, I think.”
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