Rodri of Spain celebrates their victory at the end of the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final match between Spain and France at the Munich Football Arena in Munich, Germany on July 9, 2024. (Photo by Ibrahim Ezzat/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Spanish vice-captain has quietly been having an amazing tournament in the heart of the Spanish midfield. He brings heart, calmness and maturity to this fairly young Spain squad and therein lies his strength. He’s been referred to as the team’s perfect computer by manager Luis de la Fuente and is his perfect representation on the pitch.
While he isn’t known for his goal-scoring ability, he always has a few goals in him and generally, they’re all long-range bangers. We were treated to a full display of that in the game against Georgia where he scored from the edge of the box, bringing his side back in the game after falling behind to Le Normand’s own goal.
Rodri’s been a destroyer of attacks for Spain, thwarting opposition counter-attacks and ensuring his team keeps possession. His defensive numbers have been great for La Roja, winning possession 36 times for his side throughout the tournament and doing so six times in the final third. He’s been a serial winner at Manchester City and will be hoping to win his first major title with the national team on Sunday.
2) Fabian Ruiz
Fabian Ruiz of Spain celebrates after scoring a goal during the Uefa Euro 2024 round of 16 football match between Spain and Georgia. Spain wins 4-1 over Georgia. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Moving from Rodri to his midfield partner-in-crime in Germany, Fabian Ruiz has been Spain’s midfield star at this tournament. Contributing to four goals in five games, he’s been La Roja’s most consistent midfielder across the five games he’s participated in, winning the man of the match in their win against Croatia.
The PSG star has also been referred to as the most underrated player in the squad by manager De la Fuente, saying this about the player after their win over Croatia, “If Fabian was called differently, all people would constantly talk about how strong he is. Trust me, he’s extremely underrated.”
In addition to his goal contributions, he’s managed a pass accuracy of over 90% throughout his time in Germany, while creating nine chances for his side throughout. The 28-year-old is always on hand to help out defensively as well, as reflected by his 40 recoveries and the 19 duels won by him.
3) Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella of Spain controls the ball during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Spain vs France at Munich Football Arena on July 09, 2024, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Markus Gilliar – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
The Chelsea full-back has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts since the back end of last season and has arguably been De la Fuente’s best defender throughout the campaign. He’s quietly gone about doing his business on his way towards the finals of UEFA Euro 2024.
Cucurella has maintained a pass accuracy of nearly 90% and has created six chances for his side from the left-back position, maintaining a 75% long-ball accuracy. While he’s never been much of an attacking threat, his defensive numbers have been extremely solid.
His defensive solidity has been his standout point in Germany, winning 75% of all of his tackles and almost 65% of the duels he’s been involved in. While he isn’t the tallest of defenders, his aerial numbers have been extremely impressive, with the Chelsea man winning nine aerial duels. Cucurella has been a man reborn after a difficult first season at Chelsea and could make his tournament even better, capping it off with a UEFA European winner’s medal.
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Publish date : 2024-07-13 12:53:51
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