Rodri says he has been surprised by Marc Cucurella’s level at Euro 2024 (Cadena COPE)
Rodri acknowledges that during Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, he was taken aback by Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella’s calibre.
Spain is getting ready for their Euro 2024 quarterfinal matchup against tournament hosts Germany this Friday after crushing Georgia 4-1 in the last-16 stage.
Cucurella, on the other hand, has had difficulty establishing himself at Chelsea since joining from Brighton in an August 2022 deal that cost £62 million.
But the 25-year-old has made a name for himself as Spain’s starting left-back at Euro 2024, and Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester City, admits he did not anticipate the Chelsea defender to put on such outstanding displays.
“I know them all but… the level that Cucurella is showing,” Rodri said to El Partidazo de Cope when asked which Spanish player has shocked him.
“I already knew him, but the level he is displaying in a situation like this during the Euro Cup—the character he possesses—is really helpful to us.”
“I really like it, and I hope he keeps doing this well.”
Additionally, Rodri thinks there are significant changes between the Spanish team that is playing now and the one that Morocco eliminated from the 2022 World Cup.
According to Rodri, “we see a more vertical Spain, much more forceful and clear in the areas.”
There are currently really complex matches that will require maturity.
“I do believe that the truly pivotal matches are imminent.” I believe we need to go forward. We shall be put to the test there.
Additionally, Rodri outlined the main distinctions between Spain and the Manchester City team that won the Premier League for the fourth time in a row the previous year.
“First of all, a player’s individual qualities contribute to the team’s construction in addition to the coach’s,” Rodri said.
From there, it’s comparable, but many of the mechanisms are different since I’m a part of it. Yes, the notion of taking the lead and making a bold move. Our four wingers, however, are really good one-on-one players. We also have more physically dominant midfielders who alternate with more individually gifted midfielders.
“At the end, we have a very significant alternation that makes it challenging to understand our team.”
