Ronald Koeman on ‘appalling’ Dutch defeat to Austria - ‘It was awful, very bad – we didn’t control the match’

Macdara Ferris reports from the Olympiastadion in Berlin

The Dutch press pack didn’t hold back in their direct questioning of Ronald Koeman after the Dutch were defeated 3-2 by Austria in Berlin on Tuesday and Koeman was equally blunt in the assessment of his own team.

He was asked to list all his teams extensive mistakes. He was questioned about his future position as manager if they lost their last 16 tie and even was he still razor sharp as a coach?

Koeman is likely used to this as this reporter recalls the fairly cutting questions put to him in the Amsterdam ArenA last November when his Netherlands side could only beat Ireland 1-0 – a result that actually earned them qualification for this European Championship.

To be fair to Koeman in the basement of Berlin’s Olympiastadion, on the 36^th anniversary of his EURO88 win with Netherlands in Germany, he didn’t shy away from answering those questions – albeit postponing the one about his future.

“That is not a question to be addressed now as I don’t want to answer questions that are about what happens or what if?,” said Koeman. "If it happens I will try and have a response.

“I’m to be held accountable for the performance in this match. We still have a chance to progress. If we fail, please ask this question again.” 

Match report from the Olympiastadion which was lit up by the brilliant bright Berlin sunshine, a cracking game & amazing atmosphere. Das Team win Group D while the Dutch Oranje make it as a best third team.

Euro 2024 Report: Netherlands 2 - 3 Austria https://t.co/DGoRlVV1Ne

— Macdara Ferris (@macdarabueller) June 25, 2024

Assessing his own team's perfromance he said. “Do you have quite some time because I can list quite a lot of mistakes. We started very badly. We didn’t defend well. We were not aggressive, and gave them too many openings. There was a lack of pressure and we were really very bad.

“The match against France (0-0) we did reasonably well but today it was appalling. People played poorly. We didn’t have a lot of ball possession so there was no rest. That was difficult and we couldn’t build confidence. 

“It was awful, very bad – we didn’t control the match. Later we did better and we had a few opportunities. They had the qualities to punish us.”

In response to being asked about his coaching sharpness he said: “Of course I am focused on this team and our strategy. We haven’t been knocked out – we are through to the next stage. We have to come up with a response and prepare for the next game.”  

Having won their opening match 2-1 against Poland, they played out a scoreless draw with France in their second match meaning they knew they were already through to the knock-out stage.

However, allowing Austria to beat them and top the group, leaves the Dutch in third place and facing the prospect of playing a group winner. 

“We knew before the game that we would be third in group and that we would get a big nation in next round – maybe England or Spain – we will wait and see what happens.”

Berlin based for tournament, the draw opens up for Das Team after topping Group D

Heard the view post match from the Austrian camp

Das Team dark horses no more - Ralf Rangnick on ‘incredible’ Austrian group win, defeat of the Dutch and RB Leipzig return https://t.co/JfiVrxe2BP

— Macdara Ferris (@macdarabueller) June 26, 2024