Declan Rice, a key player for the England national team, has expressed his concerns about facing Spain in the Euro 2024 final. He acknowledges that Spain is known for being the “kings of killing matches” with their possession-based style of play. Rice emphasized the importance of England replicating their performance against Netherlands in the semifinals, where they had significant possession of the ball. He stressed the need for England to control the game against Spain and utilize their experience to take the sting out of their opponent’s possession game.
Rice’s Comparison with Rodri
Rice also addressed the comparisons between himself and Spain’s Rodri, highlighting the differences in their playing styles. Despite being constantly compared, Rice believes that they are two completely different players and that the focus should not be on an individual battle between them. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and collective effort in achieving success, especially in a high-stakes final like Euro 2024.
Reflecting on England’s loss to Italy in the previous Euros final, Rice revealed that the defeat still haunts him and his teammates. He mentioned using the pain of that loss as motivation for the upcoming final against Spain. Rice stressed the significance of learning from past mistakes and ensuring that England does not repeat the same errors that led to their defeat in the previous final. The team is determined to create new memories and rewrite history by clinching the championship this time around.
Despite facing Spain, the native country of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Rice shared that Arteta had reached out to wish him luck for the final. Their conversation reflected Arteta’s support for Rice and the English national team, despite the conflict of interest due to his Spanish background. Rice appreciated Arteta’s gesture and expressed gratitude for the encouragement and well-wishes from the Arsenal boss.
Declan Rice’s insights give a glimpse into England’s mindset going into the Euro 2024 final against Spain. The team is focused on controlling the game, learning from past failures, and utilizing their experience to emerge victorious. With determination, teamwork, and support from their manager and fans, England is prepared to give their all and run through brick walls to secure the championship.
Leave a Reply