“I’m not worried about Argentina’s attack”said the Liverpool footballer before the training that his team carried out at the University of Qatar with a view to the crossing next Friday at 4:00 p.m. at the Lusail stadium.
“We are prepared to play the match and do everything possible to advance to the semifinals. We know of the danger that Argentina can generate because it is a fantastic team with great players, but we are going to be very attentive in all our lines. We are ready to face this match”secured the central marker.
Van Dijk, considered one of the best defenders in the world, won the 2019 Silver Ball behind Lionel Messi and was chosen that year as the best player in the Premier League, the Champions League final and Europe by UEFA.
The Dutchman recognized Messi’s hierarchy and praised the Cordovan Julian Alvarezwho earned a World Cup title after starting his first season with Manchester City in British football.
“Messi is one of the best players of our time along with Cristiano Ronaldo. I have a lot of respect for his achievements and it’s always an honor to play against him.”admitted the captain of the “Oranje”.
Right away, he highlighted Julián’s present, whom he defined as “a very good player, very fast, who has a great future.”
“He arrived in England and he is doing very well at City this season, despite having to compete with a footballer like (Erling) Haaland. He is a very good player, I think he will be important for his club and the Argentine National Team.” , I consider.
Van Dijk disconnected Friday’s game from the historical background that both teams record in the World Cup. “I don’t think it has a special meaning, if it is special it will be because it is a quarterfinal match,” he said.
The statistics show that Argentina and the Netherlands played 5 times with a balance of 1-2-2 for the “Albiceleste”, which, in any case, took over the most important matches: the final of the ’78 World Cup (in extra time). and the semifinal of Brazil 2014 (on penalties, after equalizing in regulation time and extra time).
“There is no extra feeling for the story. We just concentrated on being able to show our quality and unity to try to progress in the competition.”he added.
For his part, the goalkeeper Andreas Noppert He praised the quality of Messi but clarified that “he also fails” as he demonstrated in this World Cup. “He is a great player but he also tends to fail. We have seen him in this tournament. He is like us, a human being.”indicated the soccer player from Heerenveen.
Noppert, 28, made his debut for the Dutch national team in Qatar 2022 and has started all four games played so far. “When you are little you dream of being in a World Cup. I have always kept that dream, I fought for it. Only Louis (Van Gaal) could have thought of me for the World Cup. I’m proud and grateful to be here,” he said.
Noppert then highlighted Van Gaal’s role, assuring that “a good coach is someone who also keeps footballers who aren’t playing well and who are still fighting to get into the team. That’s the most important thing.”
Finally, he assured that he does not feel pressure to play a place in the semifinals of the World Cup in his short experience as a goalkeeper for his team: “It is true that this is new for me but it is a new test. I just have to be myself. It’s a different world for me but that’s not going to change me.”
Argentina and the Netherlands will meet this Friday from 4:00 p.m. at the Lusail stadium for the quarterfinals.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
