Xavi confident Zirkzee can help Netherlands
Xavi believes Joshua Zirkzee suits Netherlands' new style after calling him up to the squad as an injury replacement.
Brian Brobbey left the Netherlands camp after its 1-1 draw with Germany in its UEFA Nations League opener, with Zirkzee receiving his call-up to replace him.
Zirkzee has six Netherlands caps to his name, with his most recent call-up to the squad coming in November 2024.
The decision was questioned, with Zirkzee only making four substitute appearances for Manchester United this season without scoring.
Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst are the other more commonly picked options in that position, but Xavi is confident Zirkzee will slot into his team.
"He can be very important for us. I think he's a good player. He can help us enormously," Xavi said.
"Our striker must understand our system and our ideas. He can help us more than the others at the moment. We focus on the players we select."
Netherlands needed a 92nd-minute equaliser from Cody Gakpo to snatch a point against Germany, but Xavi will feel it is the least his side deserved after a dominant second-half performance.
Xavi's side is now on a four-match winless streak in the UEFA Nations League, something the Spaniard will be looking to put right away to Serbia on Monday (AEST).
"We have to win. It is an important match for the placement," Xavi said.
"[On Monday AEST], we will determine the line-up. I am happy with all the players who are available at the moment.
"Serbia play very differently. It will be a tough match against a physical team. They play a lot of long balls. We have to be prepared for that.
"The goal is to win and take the three points."
Serbia lost its UEFA Nations League opener 2-1 to Greece and sits at the bottom of Group A2, just behind Netherlands.
Joshua Orobosa Zirkzee
Netherlands
