Inter defender Stefan De Vrij shared his thoughts on his future following the Netherlands’ 4-0 victory over Canada in Rotterdam. After a subdued first half, Ronald Koeman’s side pushed forward in the second half, scoring four goals against a Canada team featuring Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David. Memphis Depay, JeremieFrimpong, Wout Weghorst, and Virgil Van Dijk all found the net.
Speaking after the win, De Vrij gave an interview to Gianluca di Marzio , touching on his plans for the future, and his love for the Nerazzurri:
“It was a good friendly against a team with a lot of quality. We did well, creating many chances, and that’s why we scored so many goals in the second half,” said De Vrij.
De Vrij spent most of the match on the bench at De Kuip in Rotterdam. With Van Dijk, Ake, De Ligt, and potentially Van de Ven ahead of him in the pecking order, securing playing time at the Euros will be a challenge. However, De Vrij remains optimistic: “Coach Koeman has many choices in defense, and it’s up to him to make the decisions,” he stated.
A key player for Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands team that reached the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, De Vrij believes the current Oranje squad has the potential to replicate that success. “In 2014, we grew throughout the tournament. For many of us, it was our first experience. I was 22 and it was my first adventure with the national team at a World Cup. We had a great tournament, growing significantly as a team. Now, we are just starting, and we aim to have an important run at the Euros. It’s crucial to start well,” he emphasized.
Reflecting on Inter’s season, De Vrij acknowledged the disappointment of being knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid, despite their domestic dominance. “We talked about it a lot, and it was a shame. We were disappointed but then rolled up our sleeves and finished the season strongly,” he noted.
Winning the Scudetto in a derby against rivals AC Milan was a historic achievement for Inter. “We are very proud and happy to have achieved this. I have been playing for Inter for six years and have won two Scudetti. This is my home, and celebrating in this way with the fans is an unforgettable experience,” De Vrij expressed.
When De Vrij arrived at Lazio from Feyenoord in 2014, many expected his stay in Serie A to be a brief stepping stone to the Premier League. However, De Vrij clarified: “I never said the Premier League was my dream. Things have turned out the way they have, and I don’t think it makes sense to look back. Italy is my home.”
