Rodri expressed confidence in Spain reaching the World Cup final
Spain national team captain Rodri has expressed high confidence in his team's chances ahead of the World Cup semifinal in Dallas, as reported by Zamin.uz.
The Manchester City midfielder believes the reigning European champions, known as La Furia Roja, can defeat France, the current vice-world champions. In his view, the Spanish side has all the opportunities to reach the final of a major tournament for the first time since 2010.
This was reported by Goal.com. Ballon d'Or winner Rodri noted that he does not underestimate the upcoming match against France, one of the main favorites of the tournament.
Before the crucial game at AT&T Stadium, he reminded everyone of Spain's previous victories under coach Luis de la Fuente. According to the captain, these results once again prove the team's high level on the international stage.
Rodri considers the French team to be one of the strongest and most well-prepared opponents in the competition. However, he emphasized that Spain is equally capable and has the experience to win.
He cited their successes in the European Championship and the Nations League as proof, stating that beating France has become a routine outcome for them.
Historically, Rodri was part of the squad that defeated France in the 2015 UEFA Under-19 Championship. He specifically praised head coach Luis de la Fuente for maintaining a stable system.
As the player explained, the coach has not changed his approach, and today's achievements are the result of work laid down many years ago. While specialists and fans may expect a repeat of last year's thrilling encounter, Rodri believes this match will be far more cautious.
In his opinion, teams in the knockout stages of the World Cup focus more on defense to avoid mistakes. In Spain's tactical setup, young talent Lamine Yamal plays a key role.
Nevertheless, the captain urged his younger teammate to control his emotions and stay focused on the pitch. Although Rodri highly values Yamal's enthusiasm, he warned that in certain situations, his excitement could affect his performance.
Yamal is considered a valuable player for the team, both with and without the ball. Due to his young age, experienced teammates are supporting him and helping him stay calm in crucial moments.
Although the Barcelona academy product has not yet scored in this tournament, his teammates fully trust his abilities. This high level of confidence and fighting spirit within the Spanish camp has not gone unnoticed by opponents.
French defender Ibrahima Konate stated that his team must remain composed and not succumb to external pressure. Despite this, Rodri believes the Spanish players, under his leadership, are close to repeating their historical success.
