Depay looking for 'more pace' after 'little bit of involvement' in World Cup opener
Memphis Depay was frustrated at being limited to a substitute role in the Netherlands' World Cup opener, but is confident he will make a bigger impact in the fixtures ahead.
>Depay had been left out of Monday's match against Senegal during Louis van Gaal's pre-match press conference.
But the Barcelona striker appeared on the bench and was brought in in the final half hour as the game was still scoreless.
Although Depay wasn't on the scoresheet, he was involved in setting up both Oranje's goals in a 2-0 win, with Cody Gakpo scoring the first before Davy Klaassen does not catch the rebound from the shot of the Dutch number 10. .
Speaking afterwards, Depay said: "I feel good, I feel good, I feel fit. Obviously a player like me always wants to start from kick-off, but that was the plan and now we focus on the next game.
"I'm sure I'll feel better and work hard to find more rhythm. I'm glad I got to do a small role in 30 minutes today."
On Gakpo, who took advantage of Depay's absence and was preferred over Klaassen, he said: "I'm very happy for him. He's a hard worker, he's very dedicated in his career. is a young baseball player.
"I'm very happy. He's a great guy, a young man, he has a lot to learn, so I'm sure you'll see more moments like this."
Although he missed the XI, the crucial stoppage time was also a big moment for Klaassen.
"It's a dream, of course," he said. "It's my first World Cup game, so to score your first World Cup goal and win...you can't ask for much more."
Klaassen was also asked about the OneLove captain's armband, which Virgil van Dijk had to wear until FIFA threatened sanctions.
The campaign promotes "inclusion and sends a message against all forms of discrimination", but those who plan to wear the armband fear they will immediately receive a yellow card.
“We are still behind the statement,” Klaassen added. "FIFA forced us not to wear it, but the statement is still there."
Van Dijk himself didn't seem impressed with the discussion on the subject, saying, "You know exactly what the outcome was.
"Two hours before the game against England, the news broke and I was sleeping at the time. I had no influence on anything.
"I don't care about the armband because I don't want to receive a yellow card."
Memphis Depay was frustrated at being limited to a substitute role in the Netherlands' World Cup opener, but is confident he will make a bigger impact in the fixtures ahead.
>Depay had been left out of Monday's match against Senegal during Louis van Gaal's pre-match press conference.
But the Barcelona striker appeared on the bench and was brought in in the final half hour as the game was still scoreless.
Although Depay wasn't on the scoresheet, he was involved in setting up both Oranje's goals in a 2-0 win, with Cody Gakpo scoring the first before Davy Klaassen does not catch the rebound from the shot of the Dutch number 10. .
Speaking afterwards, Depay said: "I feel good, I feel good, I feel fit. Obviously a player like me always wants to start from kick-off, but that was the plan and now we focus on the next game.
"I'm sure I'll feel better and work hard to find more rhythm. I'm glad I got to do a small role in 30 minutes today."
On Gakpo, who took advantage of Depay's absence and was preferred over Klaassen, he said: "I'm very happy for him. He's a hard worker, he's very dedicated in his career. is a young baseball player.
"I'm very happy. He's a great guy, a young man, he has a lot to learn, so I'm sure you'll see more moments like this."
Although he missed the XI, the crucial stoppage time was also a big moment for Klaassen.
"It's a dream, of course," he said. "It's my first World Cup game, so to score your first World Cup goal and win...you can't ask for much more."
Klaassen was also asked about the OneLove captain's armband, which Virgil van Dijk had to wear until FIFA threatened sanctions.
The campaign promotes "inclusion and sends a message against all forms of discrimination", but those who plan to wear the armband fear they will immediately receive a yellow card.
“We are still behind the statement,” Klaassen added. "FIFA forced us not to wear it, but the statement is still there."
Van Dijk himself didn't seem impressed with the discussion on the subject, saying, "You know exactly what the outcome was.
"Two hours before the game against England, the news broke and I was sleeping at the time. I had no influence on anything.
"I don't care about the armband because I don't want to receive a yellow card."
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