Jürgen Klopp jokes about knowing more Dutch players than Xavi ahead of Netherlands tilt
· Yahoo Sports
There’s a small element of nostalgia for the current international break where European nations will be competing in UEFA Nations League matches. Jürgen Klopp is taking charge of his first set of matches as Germany manager, Zinedine Zidane is doing so for France, Xavi for the Netherlands, and Markvan Bommel for Belgium. For those of a certain age range, a slew of managers that were at the peak of their playing powers when we were growing up are now leading national teams in a newly extended international break. There’s an element of added allure as a result for a break that is otherwise, and what some would still consider to be, a disruption to club competitions across Europe.
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For Germany, Klopp’s first test as manager since taking over for Julian Nagelsmann in late July lies in the form of a Nations League match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam; quite the way to get his tenure underway.
Ahead of match, Klopp joked with the press from Germany’s training camp in Herzogenaurach that he’s actually more familiar with most of the Dutch internationals than Xavi is. “I know more Dutch players personally than Xavi. I don’t know if that’s an advantage, but it’s a fact,” the former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Mainz manager said with a chuckle mid-sentence (via @iMiaSanMia).
From his time as Liverpool manager, Klopp worked with all of Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and he’s squared off against a handful of the other Dutch players in various competitions. All of Frenkie de Jong, Nathan Aké, Matthijs de Ligt, Jeremie Frimpong, Jurriën Timber, Sven Botman, Donyell Malen, Brian Brobbey, Bart Verbruggen, Memphis Depay, and Stefan de Vrij have played against Klopp teams at least once before across various competitions.
Nonetheless, it will still be a tactical battle between Klopp and Xavi, but depending on what angle it’s been looked at from, there’s a bit more impetus and pressure on Klopp. Germany, aside from a decent showing at EURO 2024 on home soil, has been too far below their level for far too long and the weight of expectation with someone like Klopp coming in the door is absolutely massive.
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