Stuart Pearce was full of praise for one Manchester City player during his nation’s victory at Euro 2024 in the quarter-final.
Several Manchester City players are now set to compete in the semi-finals of the ongoing European Championship.
England’s John Stones, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden, Spain’s Rodri and the Netherlands’ Nathan Ake have a chance to win major silverware for their respective countries. However, one player in particular out of the City cohort has been outstanding at the tournament.
Stuart Pearce hails Rodri for his masterclass for Spain against Germany
The answer is Rodri, who helped Spain beat hosts Germany 2-1 after extra-time in the quarter-final on Friday.
The likes of Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino grabbed the headlines for Luis de la Fuente’s side for getting on the scoresheet against the Germans.
Olmo in particular, who was justifiably praised by the masses for coming in for the injured Pedri, opening the scoring with a brilliant finish and assisting Merino’s outstanding header with an equally excellent cross.
As Rodri quietly went about his business for Spain once again as they beat Germany, Stuart Pearce reserved special praise for his performance.
On talkSPORT (07/07/2024, 4:10 pm): “I will tell you who I thought was outstanding — Rodri. I thought he was magnificent.”
Rodri was well and truly brilliant
As Stuart Pearce rightly stated, Rodri was a pleasure to watch — typically dictating the game and helping Spain defend their lead before Florian Wirtz’s late equaliser and after Merino’s winner. Considering former Manchester City teammate Ilkay Gundogan looked like he was tasked to man mark the 28-year-old, that was easier said than done.
Yet, Rodri also found managed to find Nico Williams when he tried to make runs in behind Germany’s defence.
The £62.5 million man’s defending inside the box was a class apart, making three clearances during the game according to Sofascore.
Considering Rodri was playing against midfielders of the calibre of Gundogan, Toni Kroos, Jamal Musiala, Wirtz and Thomas Mueller at different points in the knockout battle, he was tested to the limit.
But the Spaniard battled through, came out on top and continued to show the world why he is one of the best players in the world against a top-class German side.