Mendilibar: 'We must be different in the Netherlands and improve many things'

Coach José Luis Mendilibar recognized his team's shortcomings in a recent match, stating they were outplayed in key areas. "It was a game where we lacked many things," Mendilibar admitted. "We needed to be more aggressive, tougher in duels, and then smarter in how we managed the referee."

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We will have to be different in the Netherlands and improve many things.

He specifically pointed out the team's difficulty in adapting to the referee's officiating style, noting that the opponent was more dynamic and tougher in their approach. "We didn't adapt to the opponent; they were more dynamic and tougher," he explained. The coach also mentioned the team's struggle to create scoring opportunities, conceding that the opposition was better in one-on-one duels.

Reflecting on the upcoming match in the Netherlands, Mendilibar emphasized the necessity for a significant shift in strategy. "We will have to be different in the Netherlands and improve many things," he stated. Despite the previous performance, he considered the 0-0 draw not a bad result given the circumstances and anticipates a similar game from the opponent, leaving the qualification open.

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It was a game where we lacked many things. We needed to be more aggressive, tougher in duels, and then smarter in how we managed the referee.

Mendilibar also briefly touched upon the team's recent scoring drought, mentioning discussions during training about who would find the net. The coach's comments suggest a critical self-assessment and a clear focus on tactical and mental adjustments required for the next crucial fixture.

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We didn't adapt to the opponent; they were more dynamic and tougher.