Virgil van Dijk hits back at harsh comments over his Euro 2024 performances

Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk has hit back at comments about his poor performances at Euro 2024, as his side prepares to take on Romania on the 2nd of July.

According to The Mirror, Van Dijk said: "The last match was definitely not my best, but personally that has not happened often this season. It is important to me that it stops now. That is the responsibility I take now. That responsibility is very great, especially at Oranje. And the criticism affects me."

The criticism came after the Netherlands experienced a terrible final matchday in the group stage of Euro 2024, losing 2-3 against Austria and dropping to third place.

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Trailing 1-0 in the first half, the Dutch seemed to bounce back after the break with a Cody Gakpo goal in the far corner. However, the Austrians are a tough nut to crack at Euro 2024, and they took the lead again through a Romano Schmid goal.

Memphis Depay brought the Dutch back into the game, but just five minutes later, Marcel Sabitzer dashed Ronald Koeman's hopes by making it 2-3, which was the final score.

The Dutch press did not hold back after the painful defeat, with football legend Marco van Basten having his say with Dutch public broadcaster NOS, according to Anfield Watch.

The former striker voiced his concerns about the Dutch defence, pointing to captain Van Dijk, who did not play his best game against the Austrians and could not guide his team to a good result.

"Van Dijk is the captain, he has to lead. He is also the one we ultimately address as the great leader of the team. Then you also know that you have to organise these kinds of things better," Van Basten said.

"Did my earlier criticism lead to improvement? No, unfortunately not. In fact, the same things are still not going well," Van Basten continued.

Van Dijk was also slammed by former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart, who was not amused by the Liverpool defender's post-match interview. "We played the way Virgil van Dijk just talked," Van der Vaart told NOS.

Van der Vaart went on to call his country's performance "a disgrace" and lamented Van Dijk's lack of passion. Will it be a wake-up call for the Dutch, or will they lose to the hands of Romania?

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