Spain will face Croatia in their first match of Euro 2024 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Sunday, and Manchester City midfielder Rodri insists winning is all that matters.
Rodri has told his teammates in Spain that it is time to finally forget about Tiki Taka.
The Manchester City midfielder will captain La Roja at Euro 2024 and will play his 51st match in tonight’s match against Croatia.
And while he’s never shy about offering an opinion or two on how rival teams should or shouldn’t play the game at club level, Rodri’s message to his international colleagues is simple: the only thing that matters is winning.
When asked how Spain should play at the Olympiastadion in Berlin in their bid to become European champions once again, Rodri replied simply: “The style that leads us to victory.
“Every team is different and plays in different ways. It would be a mistake to think that only one style would lead us to victory.
“You have to adapt and change. Sometimes you need one thing, other times another. I hope we control the game. But it’s about having a style that leads to victory.”
The pressure is on the 2008 and 2012 Euro winners, who have failed to advance beyond the round of 16 in four of the last five major tournaments.
But Rodri insists: “We have come here to win and show that Spain is capable of winning the European Championship again.
“We are not thinking about anything else. We need to compete from the first minute. We need to know what it takes to win. And we can’t make a mistake or have 10 bad minutes or you’ll be sent home. You have to stay the course for 90 minutes and be strong in both areas.”
They will be without former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, and manager Luis de la Fuente is unwilling to risk him while he recovers from a muscle injury.
“He had the opportunity to play but we are going to rest him and see if he has a chance to play on Thursday (vs Italy),” De La Fuente said. “If everything goes according to plan, then he will play.
“He wasn’t injured, he just had some problems. I decided he won’t play. “It is a precautionary measure.”
However, while Laporte is being held back, Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s 16-year-old prodigy, looks ready to unleash from the start.
“He’s an incredibly talented young man,” De La Fuente said. “It’s almost a gift from God. Few players have his talent.”
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The Three Lions are among the favorites to win this summer’s Euro 2024 and you can get your hands on the new Nike home and away kits before the first whistle.
