Picture caption: The Netherlands completed Group D on 4 factors and certified as the most effective of the third-placed groups
Captain Virgil van Dijk says the Netherlands might have overestimated themselves going into Euro 2024.
The Dutch solely certified for the final 16 as the most effective third-placed finishers after shedding to Austria on Tuesday.
“I can utterly perceive the criticism,” Van Dijk mentioned.
“Issues total can and needs to be higher. Perhaps we overestimate ourselves.”
Ronald Koeman’s facet completed behind France as Austria topped Group D with a formidable six factors.
The Netherlands, who final gained the European Championship 36 years in the past, know they’ll should play significantly better to repeat that success in Germany.
Van Dijk added: “So much needed to be mentioned [following the defeat to Austria] and we needed to analyse lots.
“It was not the ways the place issues went flawed. It was primarily the need to win, so we’ve got talked about that and with harsh phrases.”
Van Dijk was closely criticised by former midfielder Rafael van der Vaart on Dutch TV channel NOS. Van der Vaart accused him of exhibiting an absence of ardour in an total “disgraceful efficiency” towards Austria.
The Liverpool captain was at fault for the third and decisive Austria objective in Berlin and the 32-year-old instructed the media on Friday he is aware of he has to defend to a better customary.
“I’m not silly,” Van Dijk mentioned. “I additionally know that I can do higher and that it needs to be higher, and that’s what I’m engaged on.”
The Netherlands play Romania for a spot within the quarter-finals on Tuesday with kick-off at 17:00 BST on BBC One.