The Netherlands and Inter defender spoke alongside coach Ronald Koeman Stefan de Vrij spoke in front of journalists at a press conference to present the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina this evening in Eindhoven. Match where he will meet again a former teammate dear to him, Edin Dzeko (former Nerazzurri player currently at Fenerbahce).
First words: “This is a match for the Dutch national team, I speak for myself, but motivation is not a problem. There was also talk about starting with concentration, it is important to be aware of this. We all know how important Virgil van Dijk is for this team, but we also have good substitutes. The fact that he didn’t play on Saturday was a disappointment. But we need to move on.”
And does this make De Vrij the ideal “twelfth man”? He thinks it’s too early to tell: “Especially if you played all the matches at the European Championship and now you happen not to play. The coach has to make choices and this time (against Hungary, ed.) it didn’t fall on me, but I’m professional and I can think about the good of the team.”
De Vrij later commented on the possibility of Dzeko playing his last match with his national team: “I didn’t know it at all. I had a good relationship with him at Inter, even off the pitch. And I also played against him often. I’m happy to see him back here.”
In closing, however, the crucial statement on his futureas his contract is expiring with Inter at the end of the season. Unless the Nerazzurri club decides to extend the contract again with the clause: “I am in my place at Inter and I have an option for another year. This choice is up to the club and I would like to opt for this option.”