Across this extended international window, Xavi Hernández has begun his Netherlands tenure with the steady sense of a coach already looking beyond the first encouraging results. A draw against Jürgen Klopp’s Germany and an away victory in Serbia have given the Catalan a useful opening, but he has made clear after Sunday’s football that he expects more from his new Oranje side.
The next test takes the Dutch south-east, to Greece, where Thursday’s Nations League meeting will offer a sharper reading of the work underway. Greece arrive with a growing group of talented players and have placed themselves among the possible surprises of this edition of the competition. Their 1-0 win over Germany on Sunday was not merely another result: it was Greece’s first-ever victory against the Germans.
A difficult stop in Greece
That result is a warning for Netherlands before they meet Greece away from home in Xavi’s third match in charge. Playing in front of the home support adds another layer to a fixture that was never likely to be simple, and the Dutch will know that their early momentum must be backed up by a more complete performance.
Xavi’s influence has been felt positively in these opening games, with the beginnings of a new identity around the national side. Still, he has not treated the draw with Germany or the win in Serbia as a finished statement. The aim over the remaining matches is to add results while improving the level of the team’s football.
Serbia return to Dutch soil
The international spell concludes next Sunday, when Serbia visit the Netherlands. On paper, it may look less demanding than the trip to Greece, although Serbia have already shown that they can make life uncomfortable for Xavi’s side. The Dutch won the earlier meeting on Serbian territory, but this window has offered enough unexpected turns to discourage easy assumptions.
Two more positive outcomes would make an impressive first gathering for Xavi with the Netherlands. More importantly, the matches in Greece and at home to Serbia will show how quickly this refreshed Oranje can turn an encouraging start into something more substantial.
