Denzel Dumfries emphasizes that the Netherlands are focusing on enhancing their defensive skills, aiming for their first clean sheet of the year.
The team is set to face Serbia in the Nations League on Sunday, having allowed goals in all 11 of their matches this year.
In their most recent outing, they conceded twice in a draw against Greece, although they managed to come back from a two-goal deficit to earn a point.
Under coach Xavi, the Netherlands remain unbeaten in their three games (W1 D2), holding the second position in their Nations League group.
Despite this promising start, Dumfries recognized that there is still room for improvement defensively.
“It’s a good challenge for the team. We aim to make changes and let in fewer goals,” Dumfries stated.
“While it’s not a massive issue, it certainly needs attention. Given the caliber of our defenders, we shouldn’t be conceding this many goals.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Three games down, one to go! </p>
<p> See you in Eindhoven! <a href="https://t.co/kWdWnGzU1h">pic.twitter.com/kWdWnGzU1h</a></p>
<p>— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) October 3, 2026</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This match at Philips Stadion could be particularly significant for Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, who is on the verge of his 100th international cap.</p>
<p>Van Dijk, with 18 goals to his name, has played a key role in his nation's journey to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, and the final of the inaugural Nations League in 2019.</p>
<p>"It could be an emotional occasion for Virgil," Xavi remarked. "I'm thrilled to work with him; he's a true leader."</p>
<p>"He integrates well into the team. Achieving 100 caps is remarkable. As for whether he'll play, we’ll see on Sunday."</p>Fan Take: This news matters to soccer fans as it highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen the Dutch defense, an area crucial for success in upcoming tournaments. A clean sheet against Serbia could boost team morale and showcase their growth as a competitive force, setting the stage for future matches.
Source: www.soccernews.com
