July 4th 2024.
Rodri was pleasantly surprised by Marc Cucurella's performance during Spain's Euro 2024 campaign. Despite struggling to make an impact at Chelsea after his move from Brighton, the 25-year-old has established himself as Spain's first-choice left-back and has been delivering impressive performances.
Spain recently hammered Georgia 4-1 in the last-16 stage and are now preparing for their quarter-final match against tournament hosts Germany this Friday. When asked about the player who has surprised him the most in the Spanish squad, Rodri admitted that he didn't expect Cucurella to showcase such a high level of play in a major tournament like the Euro Cup.
"I already knew him, but the level he is showing in a context like this, in a Euro Cup, is really impressive," Rodri said in an interview with El Partidazo de Cope. "He is helping us a lot, especially defensively, and he has a great character. I am really enjoying playing with him and I hope he continues at this level."
Rodri also believes that there are significant differences between the current Spanish squad and the one that was knocked out by Morocco in the last-16 stage of the 2022 World Cup. He praised the team's vertical and forceful style of play and acknowledged that they will face tough challenges in the upcoming matches.
"We see a more vertical Spain, much more forceful and clear in the areas," Rodri said. "Now we have some really tough matches coming up where maturity will be crucial. We have to take a step forward and prove ourselves at this level."
Spain's route to the Euro 2024 final looks challenging, with a quarter-final match against Germany, followed by a potential semi-final against Portugal or France, and a final against England, Switzerland, Turkey, or Netherlands. Rodri emphasized the importance of performing well in these decisive matches, stating that their previous accomplishments will mean nothing if they are eliminated.
In addition to discussing Spain's Euro 2024 campaign, Rodri also shared his thoughts on the key differences between the Spanish national team and his club team, Manchester City. He highlighted the individual quality that each player brings to the team and the important role it plays in their success.
"Teams are not only built by the coach, but also by the individual quality that each player brings," Rodri explained. "We have a great mix of players with different strengths, which makes us difficult to predict and defend against. That's one of our biggest strengths as a team."
Finally, Rodri expressed his excitement for the upcoming matches and his confidence in the team's abilities. He also acknowledged that while their recent accomplishments are impressive, their ultimate goal is to win the Euro 2024 title.
"I am really looking forward to the tough challenges ahead," Rodri said. "We have achieved a lot so far, but it will all be for nothing if we don't continue to perform well and win the Euro Cup. That's what we're all working towards."
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