Javier Ortiz de Lazcano
Special delivery. Cologne
Sunday, June 30, 2024 | Updated 01/07/2024 00:12h.
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Luis de la Fuente has no doubts. Rodri is, in his opinion, the best central midfielder in the world. For him and for many others. However, in the World Cup in Qatar he was lined up as a central defender by Luis Enrique, a decision that many interpreted as a waste of his talent.
De la Fuente is clear that he only fields players in their natural position. And no one can ignore the fact that Rodri’s position is in central midfield. Against Georgia he played the double role of architect and hero of the national team. And he deservedly received the recognition of being named MVP of the match.
The play was started by the Manchester City player himself. He controlled the edge of the area and looked outside for Nico Williams. Faced with the rush of other teammates in those moments of tension, the Athletic winger had the nerve to stand up, raise his head and make the best decision.
He passed the ball back to Rodri, who received it with a left-footed shot. Mamardashvili was unable to do anything about the first shot that night.
Rodri scored Spain’s most important goal, the equaliser, the one that dispelled the ghosts that were beginning to appear on the rainy night in Cologne. The goal came at a moment of maximum tension for La Roja. Georgia had taken the lead with Le Normand’s own goal without even having a shot on target. By that time, De la Fuente’s team had shot seven times on goal, taken six corners, had 78% possession and had made 238 passes compared to just 42 for the opposition. Georgia’s inferiority was such that their fans shouted fervently every time they passed the centre of the field.
But they were ahead and the memory of what happened with Morocco in the World Cup had been very present among the internationals in their concentration hotel in the Black Forest, as they themselves commented.
Anxiety was growing because the equaliser was not coming. And the gap between the Spain that had not conceded a goal and the one that was behind on the scoreboard was growing. The second team was much worse.
The target also reaffirms the importance of Rodri. He is no longer just the best pivot in the world because of what he does in his position. He contributes more and more in the rival area. How to shoot from outside the area. The one from Colonia was his tenth goal of the campaign between his club (9) and the national team (1), the best record of his career and a very remarkable figure for a player who spent his last year at Atlético de Madrid (2018-19 ) closed it with three goals.
It is also a rarity for Spain to score from outside the box. The last time they did so in a European Championship was Raúl against Slovenia. And it has been 24 years since then.
Rodri’s goal was celebrated as it deserved, with the rage of someone who feels that it is a liberation. He ran towards the sideline to celebrate with the substitutes and there he and the entire squad composed the pineapple of great relief. Everyone had already begun to think that Spain could be facing the biggest setback in its history.
If the first goal was born thanks to an intelligent decision by Nico Williams, the second started with an exquisite pass from the other winger, Lamine Yamal. He placed a measured ball at the far post and Fabián appeared to score with a header. The one from Los Palacios is sweet with La Roja. He has scored three goals in his last four games. The PSG midfielder willingly assumes the role of talisman.
His Euros are exceptional, even though it was not clear that he was a starter because he is competing with Mikel Merino. He scored against Croatia and did so again against Georgia. No one doubts now that he is in the starting eleven.
The target of tranquility led to the signing of Nico Williams, the best in Spain in the tournament and who also debuts his directorial account in the tournament. It was a counterattack launched by Fabián in which the Athletic player put his great virtue, the ability to drive at speed. He appeared in front of the Valencia goalkeeper and placed a superb shot, one of those goals that makes Athletic fans fear that a powerful club will come with its 58 million clause.
Spain had overcome the unexpected setback. And to celebrate, Olmo scored the fourth. A goal whose greatest value is that it vindicates him for more playing time. Germany awaits a team that feels capable of overcoming every setback.
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2024-06-30 22:12:43
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