Virgil van Dijk was adamant that the Netherlands' World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina connected Friday wasn't a conflict of him against Lionel Messi, but added his squad would beryllium cautious successful their attack against the Argentina superstar.
The Dutch skipper stayed connected connection portion fielding a flurry of questions astir however the Netherlands volition woody with the menace of Messi astatine the Lusail Stadium: it volition beryllium a squad effort.
- Hamilton: What motivates Van Gaal for his past WC dance?
- World Cup bracket: Who plays whom successful the quarterfinals?
"It's not astir me, oregon the Netherlands, against Messi, it's astir the Netherlands against Argentina," Van Dijk said astatine a quality league Wednesday.
In effect to a question astir however disquieted they mightiness beryllium astir the menace of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, Van Dijk said: "Worried no, but cautious of what Argentina tin bring to the game.
"They are a fantastic squad with fantastic players, and we are going to person to bash good successful each departments of the match."
He agreed that his broadside could person played amended successful Qatar up to this point, contempt not losing a crippled and winning their group, but diplomatically dodged a question astir whether disapproval of their performances backmost location was typically Dutch.
"We besides consciousness that our play successful the past crippled could person been better," said Van Dijk of a 3-1 round-of-16 win implicit the United States. "We are each perfectionists and would similar to person performed better. But what is bully is that we are inactive successful the contention and playing successful the quarterfinals."
The Dutch are anxious to interruption caller crushed and triumph a World Cup aft losing successful 3 finals.
"There is simply a hunger, dreams and a feeling that we truly privation to get it [the World Cup]," Van Dijk said. "When you are successful the quarterfinals you are lone 3 games from glory.
"This is our opportunity. But evidently we person to get past an Argentina broadside with 1 of the champion players of each time."
The Dutch besides look the anticipation of the bulk of the 80,000-odd assemblage cheering connected Argentina arsenic a amazingly tiny fig of orange-clad Netherlands supporters person travelled.
Usually, the Netherlands get important enactment connected the roadworthy but without them, Van Dijk believes an aboriginal extremity mightiness beryllium important to quiescent the opposing fans.
"Then it becomes a full antithetic game," Van Dijk said. "But I deliberation it volition beryllium bully to play successful specified an ambiance."
English (US)