BERLIN, Germany -- Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman says Memphis Depay knows he needs to perform better after two games without a goal at Euro 2024.
Depay's place in the team has been called into question, particularly after Wout Weghorst came off the bench the score the winner against Poland in Netherlands' first game in Group D.
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin which was dominated by questions about Depay's form, Koeman confirmed the forward will start against Austria on Tuesday, but admitted the 30-year-old knows he can improve.
"He is a very good player," said Koeman. "He criticises himself as well and he wasn't pleased with the way he performed. According to him, he has to perform better.
"He has had a lot of injuries to face. Of course, he has to play better but that's clear for all of us."
Depay scored in a pre-tournament friendly against Canada, but struggled for goals for Atlético Madrid last season netting just twice in the final four months of the campaign.
Koeman, however, insists he remains an important player for Netherlands and called on the rest of the team to help him get his first goal of the Euros when they face Austria.
"Memphis is not lacking confidence," added Koeman "He is convinced he can play better and find the net. I want to make it clear that he plays an important role in this team.
"This team needs him and he needs the team. He has to receive the ball at the right moments, we speak about it during training. When he's in an open space, the other players need to support him."
Netherlands, Austria and France are all vying for top spot in the group ahead of their final matches.
Austria impressed in their last game with a 3-1 win over Poland and Koeman is expecting a tough evening at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Tuesday.
"Austria press a lot so we have to come up with solutions," said Koeman. "We have trained these different priorities. We should not lose the ball because they will slaughter us. We need to have ball possession and we should not lose it.
"Sometimes you need to pass it long to avoid this type of pressure from Austria. They are very intensive."