Nathan Ake revealed that going direct made the difference in their comeback 2-1 win over Turkey in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Saturday night.
The Oranje fell behind to Samet Akaydin’s first half goal but forced their back in the second half through Stefan de Vrij’s leveller and Mert Muldur’s own goal.
“It was [tough] you know, defensively they’re very strong, very compact in the middle and they made it was very difficult,” Ake said.
“Obviously after the one nil [it] became even more difficult also with the fans and, you know, the energy they had. But I think in the second half we came out really well.
“We put it a little bit, put a little bit more pressure on them and you know, tried to go a little bit more direct in the box with [Wout] Weghorst coming on. And I think that paid off.”
Netherlands are semi-final bound 👏#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/vse6QXIfKx
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 6, 2024
The Netherlands will get to face England in the semi-finals and Nathan Ake acknowledged it will be another encounter as he goes up against a couple of his Manchester City teammates.
“Yeah, I know it’s going to be very tough. You know, as you said, the few team-mates, also a lot of players I play against week in and week out in the Premier League,” he added.
“So I know how tough it will be. A lot of individual quality. So yeah, we have to prepare properly and yeah, hopefully we can make it. ”
The Netherlands have made it through to the Euro semi-finals for the sixth time in their history and for the first time in exactly two decades.
