Germany coach Jurgen Klopp praised Xavi Hernandez on Sunday for the tactical progress of the Netherlands national team.
Speaking in Berlin, Klopp noted that the Dutch side is already reflecting the tactical identity of their new coach, according to Yahoo Sports.
The German manager pointed to a recent 7-0 victory against Greece as evidence that the former Barcelona midfielder has made an immediate impact.
Klopp described the performance as electric and remarked that “Xavi wants to play Xavi-style football”.
The German coach further noted that he enjoys competing against teams that push their tactical approach to the limit.
The Netherlands currently prepares to face Germany in a high-stakes European football match.
Germany finds itself third in the group standings and requires a victory to maintain hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
Klopp acknowledged the intensity of the rivalry, stating that the Dutch team “really come alive in European football”.
Xavi, who was appointed in August, deflected the personal praise during his own press conference.
The Spanish coach emphasized that the recent success is a result of the players’ own abilities rather than his specific system.
He stated that “it’s not Xavi-football” and credited the squad’s capacity to execute their game plan.
Reflecting on the upcoming match, Xavi admitted that he is beginning to understand the deep historical rivalry between the two nations.
He acknowledged the difficulty of surprising an experienced manager like Klopp, who previously coached Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
The two teams previously played to a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam last September, which marked the first match in charge for both men.
Xavi concluded his remarks by calling the upcoming encounter a good test for his developing squad.
The match in Berlin serves as a critical fixture for both teams as they navigate the remainder of the group stage.