Xavi has emphasized the importance of performance over results in the upcoming match. "It's always the goal to win, but it's even more important to leave a good impression with our performance," he said. The Spanish coach wants the team to showcase their passion, ambition, and philosophy on the pitch. "I want the team to show passion, ambition, desire, and our philosophy," he explained.
Xavi has a clear idea of what his philosophy entails. "I want the team to want the ball a lot and put high pressure on the opponent, even when we lose the ball," he said. The coach is eager to see if his team can implement this approach in the match against Germany. "I'm curious to see if we can show that tomorrow," he added.
The starting lineup for the match is still unclear, and even the players themselves do not know who will start. This is a deliberate choice by Xavi, who wants to keep the team connected until the last minute. "They'll find out 1.5 hours before the match. That's my preference, because I think everyone will be even more connected then," he said.
Xavi has a full selection of players available for the match, including Jürrien Timber, who was forced to miss the first training sessions of the week. The coach has also appointed reserve captains, including Denzell Dumfries, Nathan Aké, and Cody Gakpo. "They're experienced players who can help the others," Xavi explained.
The match against Germany will be played in Amsterdam and can be followed via a livestream on NOS.nl, the NOS app, Teletekst, NPO 3, and NPO Radio 1. The pre-match coverage will start at 20:06 on NOS.nl, the NOS app, and NPO 3.