Spain and Manchester City star Rodri Hernandez is well aware of the quality and threat that England possess going into the Euro 2024 final, but has also remarked that he is certain that they can win it. La Roja come into the match as the favourites, having cast aside Germany and France on the way, but England were one of the favourites coming into the competition.
Of course the Spain side lifted a trophy for the first time since Euro 2012 last summer, winning the Nations League on penalties against Croatia. From that point on, they have continued to improve.
“For me, and for the group, it was very important because when you win, you develop an ability to believe and trust that you can continue doing it. Winning the first time is the most complicated thing in football. From there, things go smoothly. It is true that you need to continue with a process, with a mentality of solidarity, of knowing how to suffer, of wanting to continue improving. But already with a base to go off.”
“For us it was very important. And, for this tournament, I was convinced that we were going to measure up. Then you never know. The qualifiers are decided by details, but the team has shown maturity and we have seen a Spain with the ambition to want to win.”
Rodri told Diario AS that the one English player he would take out of the game if he had a choice would be City teammate Phil Foden, who struck the woodwork against the Netherlands.
“I know them well, I know the culture of English football perfectly. They have a very talented team, players who can unbalance a game, who can handle all aspects of the game. They defend well, they can attack you, they have good set pieces. We have to work on how to hurt them. We have our weapons, the certainty that we can beat them.”
Lunin did say there will be a more customary celebration at some point.https://t.co/zKt2rFAr3j#RealMadrid #AFC #LFC
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He was also asked about Gareth Southgate’s ability to mix things up and go for a different style or formation, but Rodri was convinced that Spain could do just the same.
“I think I’ve said it before. We have not played a single game in the same way. One of the best things we are doing is adapting to the rivals.”
The talk of the tournament for La Roja has been Lamine Yamal, who Rodri was full of praise for.
“I see a maturity in him that I don’t know if I’ve ever seen, honestly. And I see potential, a player… I couldn’t tell you Lamine’s ceiling. We will know in a few years. In five or six years, we’ll see. In one or two years it will be one of the best in the world. But above all I see him as a very calm boy, with a desire to learn. And supportive.”
“For people with that talent and those virtues, there are times when we see players who are good at something and stick to that. In Lamine I see a boy with the desire to win collectively, to be supportive, to not believe himself anymore. And, with these tools, he has everything to be one of the best in the coming years.”
If Spain do win, Rodri will have a strong case for player of the tournament but also potentially the Ballon d’Or later this year. Opposite him will be another of the chief contenders, Jude Bellingham. Certainly based on form, Spain will feel confident, but England are yet to unlock the potential they have, and have still made it to the final.
