Rodri admits he has been surprised by the level of Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella during Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign.
After hammering Georgia 4-1 in the last-16 stage, Spain are now preparing for their Euro 2024 quarter final against tournament hosts Germany this Friday.
Cucurella, meanwhile, has struggled to make an impact at Chelsea following his move from Brighton in a £62 million deal in August 2022.
However, the 25-year-old has established himself as Spain’s first-choice left-back at Euro 2024 and Manchester City midfielder Rodri concedes he did not expect the Chelsea defender to deliver such impressive performances.
When asked which player has surprised him in the Spanish squad, Rodri told El Partidazo de Cope: ‘I know them all but… the level that Cucurella is showing.
‘I already knew him but the level he is showing in a context like this in a Euro Cup… he is helping us a lot, especially defensively, the character he has.
‘I am loving it and I hope he continues at this level.’
Rodri also believes there are major differences between the current Spain squad and the one that was knocked out by Morocco at the last-16 stage of the 2022 World Cup.
‘We see a more vertical Spain, much more forceful and clear in the areas,’ Rodri said.
‘Now there are very complicated matches coming where maturity will be needed.
‘Now I do think that the really decisive matches are coming. I think we have to take a step forward. That is where we will be tested.
SPAIN’S ROUTE TO Euro 2024 FINAL
QUARTER FINAL – July 5 at 5pm
Spain vs Germany
SEMI FINAL – July 9 at 8pm
Spain vs Portugal or France
FINAL – July 14 at 8pm
Spain vs England, Switzerland, Turkey or Netherlands
‘What we have done is very good, but honestly it is worthless [if Spain are eliminated].
Rodri also explained the key differences between Spain and the Manchester City side that secured their fourth Premier League title in a row last season.
‘To start with, teams are not only built by the coach but by the individual quality that the player brings,’ Rodri explained.
‘From there, it’s similar but I’m part of it and many mechanisms are different. The idea of being the protagonist and pressing up front, yes. But the four wingers we have have a lot of quality one on one, we have midfielders with more physical presence alternating with other midfielders with more individual quality.
‘In the end we have a very important alternation that makes our team difficult to decipher.’