Koeman says the Netherlands needed ‘English qualities’ to beat Poland

Dutch manager Ronald Koeman said that every great team needs both ‘Dutch and English qualities’ after old-fashioned target man Wout Weghorst, rejected by Manchester United after a six-month loan spell, secured a vital late win over Poland.

Koeman revealed that the 31-year-old, who didn’t score once in the Premier League during half a season at Old Trafford last year, had been unhappy when told he was not a guaranteed Euros starter.

‘I tried to explain by every individual player the possibilities for starting or coming on the pitch in the second half when we need a different play,’ Koeman said.

‘He was a little bit upset and I think that is a good reaction. Wout is upset and doing a lot to get the opportunity to start.’

But Weghorst’s immediate impact gives Koeman a dilemma after a game in which Memphis Depay, another ex-United player, showboated and delivered very little to capitalise on the work Cody Gakpo and Denzel Dumfries provided down the flanks.

‘We were not able to run a lot in the first half but Wout is aggressive he always takes initiative and has a good header as well, he has one chance and finds the net,’ Koeman said.’

Weghorst claimed after scoring the winner that he’d been so convinced of scoring that he’d told his girlfriend to be at the stadium.

‘You almost have a feeling,’ he said. ‘I told [my partner] earlier this morning, because she was doubting whether she would come. I said it would be a draw, 20 minutes before the end, then I would come on and score. Sometimes, you just feel it.’

Koeman said his team should have scored four goals – an outcome he insisted would have left them feted. ‘If we had [scored those goals] you would have said we are at the same level as Germany,’ he said.

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