Netherlands: Xavi’s ‘MeXavican Orange’ earns first win in Serbia

The ‘MeXavican Orange’ has claimed its first win. After the encouraging display in Thursday’s opening draw against Germany, Xavi watched the Netherlands win 2-1 away to Serbia on Sunday in Belgrade, with Meerdink scoring twice in his second international appearance.

Nigel de Jong, the Dutch national team’s sporting director, acknowledged to the press that Xavi had only been the third choice for the job, following refusals from Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot. That does not prevent the Terrassa-born coach from potentially establishing himself as the most suitable man to lead Oranje. His first steps as national-team manager have, in any case, been highly convincing.

Against a Serbian side going through a difficult spell, the victory still carries merit. Unlike the match against Klopp’s team, when possession was almost evenly shared, the Dutch held the initiative throughout. Serbia handed the ball to their opponents from the opening whistle, more focused on breaking up play than building it.

Xavi’s players used that possession without overdoing horizontal passing, constantly seeking to enter the opposition box and spreading play down the flanks, a hallmark of the coach, who likes wingers. Against Serbia’s 5-4-1 block, patience and a player able to inject urgency into moves were nevertheless needed. In that role, Crysencio Summerville appears to hold a special place in this Netherlands side.

The winger won the penalty for the first Dutch goal. The decision was generous: there was contact between Terzic and Summerville, but it appeared too slight to justify Marciniak pointing to the spot. Meerdink nevertheless converted with a powerful, well-placed effort close to the post in the 30th minute, beating Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

The AZ forward showed great character. Less than a week after making his Oranje debut, at the age of 23, he took on the responsibility of opening the scoring. After Jovic equalised in the 46th minute, he secured the Dutch win in the 69th. The Netherlands led 1-0 at half-time before Paunovic changed his side: Luka Jovic, introduced after the break, beat Verbruggen before he had even spent a minute on the pitch.

That unexpected equaliser forced the Netherlands to attack again in search of a second goal rather than settle for one point. The match, part of the second matchday in Nations League Group A2, was played at Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade. Serbia’s Lukic had been booked in the 12th minute.

The only Dutch setback concerned Gakpo, who left the pitch during the first half apparently with an issue in his left leg. Everything indicates that the Liverpool forward, seemingly an automatic choice for Xavi, will not be available on Thursday when the Netherlands travel to Greece. It will be another test to gauge how far this team can already be described as the ‘MeXavican Orange’.

Xavi arrived as the third option, but the refusals of Guardiola and Slot could ultimately prove a blessing for the Netherlands.