Home » EURO 2024: Cucurella says Spain embraces “outsiders” tag

EURO 2024: Cucurella says Spain embraces “outsiders” tag

Marc Cucurella said Spain embraced their identity as “outsiders”, as they prepare for their EURO 2024 semifinals clash with France.

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Spain embraces “outsiders” tag

Spain were not dubbed as favorites entering the EUROs, but they have won five straight games in the tournament.

La Roja even defeated the host nation Germany to set a semifinal date with France on Tuesday in Munich.

Cucurella said the squad started the tournament with the “confidence of having nothing to lose.”

“Within football, there has long been respect for Spain, how we play and the players we have, but maybe coming in [to Euro 2024] as outsiders helped us,” Cucurella said.

“We started with the confidence of having nothing to lose. Now that confidence has grown and we are in the key moment of the tournament.”

“I knew we had a great team, which has been proven. We have fought so hard to be here and now we need one last big effort. Two more steps.”

The three-time European champions have beaten Croatia, Italy, Albania, Georgia, and Germany.

On the other hand, the Chelsea defender has been spectacular as a starter for Spain.

This only boosted Cucurella’s reputation as a footballer due to the team’s spectacular showing in EURO 2024.

“When you go abroad it’s difficult, people lose track [of you] a little. It’s normal, people watch Spanish football and the teams they have supported since they were young,” he said.

“The praise is all welcome. It does not matter if it’s arriving too soon or too late, it’s better if people are saying good things about you.”

Spain faces tough task vs France

To advance to the final, Spain has to thwart Mbappe and the rest of France.

However, Spain will be without the suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand.

Additionally, Pedri has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to a knee injury he sustained against Germany.

“We will have to be very focused against France, above all when attacking because we will have to be careful when we lose the ball,” Cucurella said.

“They have quick players in attack and can exploit that. We will have to be focused for the 90 minutes or however long the game lasts. If we can win the ball back quickly, I think we have a good chance.”