Thursday, June 20, 2024 | Up to date 06/21/2024 08:39h.
Remark
-
Copy hyperlink
-
WhatsApp
-
Fb
-
X (previously Twitter)
-
LinkedIn
-
Telegram
-
Threads
No person was relying on Marc Cucurella (Alellá, Barcelona, turns 26 subsequent month). His name to the match appeared designed in order that he would occupy a spot on the bench and at most give some respite to Grimaldo, known as within the swimming pools to be the beginning left again.
There have been causes to assume so. He got here from an impressive marketing campaign at Bayer Leverkusen (12 targets, 19 assists and champion of the Bundesliga and the Cup). Cucurella appeared with none official match for Spain and from a disappointing marketing campaign with Chelsea (one purpose, two assists and a poor sixth place along with his group).
Cucurella seduced De la Fuente within the friendlies previous to the match and opted for him as a starter within the first match in opposition to Croatia. The choice was then attributed to the truth that he needed defensive firmness and never a winger as offensive as Grimaldo. He was impeccable and by repeating his begin in opposition to Italy it’s clear that there was extra, which is the coach’s agency dedication to the left again.
His efficiency in opposition to the Azzurri has been spectacular. He has not solely lined the backs of Nico Williams, with whom he has an excellent deal. He has gained all of the duels and has put out all of the fires that the Italians have tried to mild in his space.
He’s a full-back with willpower, need and pace. José Luis Mendilibar transformed him to full-back when he had him at Eibar in 2018-19. One of many nice virtues of the Olympiakos coach is his skill to outline the gamers with frankness and ease.
“He’s neither quick nor robust,” mentioned Zaldibar when speaking about Cucurella. «Of all these measurements that we do with so many machines that we now have, it doesn’t match into any of them. That’s, you by no means signal it. However he’s a footballer. He’s intelligent. He chooses effectively. And also you all the time put it on.
That is what De la Fuente does within the Euro Cup. After attempting seven different left backs (Jordi Alba, Bernat, Fran García, Gayà, Balde, Pedraza and Grimaldo) he has stayed with the one which Mendilibar would by no means signal.
Remark Report a bug
