2024 European Cup Final, Spain Vs England: La Furia Roja's Greatness Not Without Weakness

JAKARTA - After 28 days of competing by spending more than 80 hours of matches, the 2024 European Cup finally reached the final. Spain and England will face off at the Berlin, Germany Olympic Stadium on Monday morning, July 15, in order to reach the title as the best team in the Blue Continent. Who is superior?

The ferocity of the Spanish youth duo in midfield, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams cannot be denied. England's Gareth Southgate has definitely had to fight extra hard to cut off the movement of the deadly duet.

After a dramatic semifinal win over France with a score of 2-1, Spain became the first team in European Cup history to always win without a draw, let alone lose. Only Germany was able to hold La Furia Roja for more than 90 minutes, even though they ended up losing too.

Apart from Germany, all opponents were crushed by Spain without the need for extra time. Like the classic adage of the Land of King Juan Carlos: un viejo espantando una mosca de sus Tapas, it's as easy as a renta man expels a fly that traps on his snack.

Of the 11 players on the pitch, only the Spanish goalkeeper, Unai Simon, did not score. That means the threat to the England goal guarded by Jordan Pickford will come from all over the wind eye.

Yamal and Williams are a privilege. They have contributed from almost 50 percent of Spain's efforts to reach the 2024 European Cup final. Gocekan and the two African-blooded footballers were very fast and directed. La Furia Roja's counter-attack is a really dangerous real threat!

So, how does Britain have to narrow the dynamics of the space for Spanish troops?

One short word: it's hard! England must definitely die to reduce the movement of Spain. The five-backs Southgate installed when beating the Netherlands in the semifinals, are very likely to be re-implemented.

Bukayo Saka's flexibility will be an important factor to maintain defense, as well as channel attacks. Saka and Kyle Walker's good cooperation has proven effective in restraining the movement of Cody Gakpo and Dutch strikers.

The Three Lions are also very lucky to have Harry Kane, the spearhead who is diligent in picking the ball to the heart of his own defense.

Spain is great, but that doesn't mean they are without weaknesses. Marc Cucurella's left sector defense is one of the weak points.

Cucurella did perform well in the national team, but not at club level. Since moving from Brighton & Hove Albion to Chelsea two years ago, his appearance has not been special. More than 40 percent of the attacks on Spain's heart were broken from the left, Cucurella's territory.

Almost all English players often face Cucurella in the Premier League. Of course they really understand their weaknesses. If British employees are able to take advantage of these weaknesses, the results they get will be maximized.

Rodri is key. The Spanish defensive midfielder who plays in Manchester City is the right partner to open up attack space for Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo. In the last 18 months, Rodri's performance has been very consistent and impressive. It is too risky for England to underestimate Rodri's role.

During the 2024 European Cup, Rodri posted 403 passes with a success rate of more than 90 percent. Not kidding! Southgate must have taken Rodri's role into account in building a Spanish attack.

So, how does England have to intercept the combination of Rodri and Ruiz? Germany midfielders, Ilkay Gundogan and Emre Can, have proven their success in suppressing Rodri and Ruiz. Their pressure forced goalkeeper Simon to let go of the far passes, rather than giving Rodri to build attacks from below.

If Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden were able to play a similar role to Gundogan and Can, it would not be impossible for the Spanish attacks to be stuttering. The situation of La Furia Roja would not be as comfortable as a snoring cat.

Spain was indeed favored in the 2024 European Cup final match against England. England reached the final in the 2020 European Cup, and lost 2-3 to Italy on penalties. Surely The Three Lions don't want to fail this year.

Meanwhile, Spain has only managed to penetrate the final again this time, since winning this tournament in 2012. Britain's performance is often considered unstable, but they are always convincing in crucial parties.

During the 2024 European Cup, the average English player played 80 minutes while Spain on average played 70 minutes of players. In other words, in every Southgate match they are less eager to change players than De La Fuente.

At the national level, Southgate and De La Fuente have handled the youth to senior teams. De La Fuente brought Spain to win the U-19 European Cup (2016) and U-21 (2019), and now he has the opportunity to score a hat-trick by winning a senior team.

Southgate has been in charge of the young England team since 2013. The former Crystal Palace midfielder, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough won England in the U-21 European Cup (2015) despite not winning. Southgate was withdrawn to the senior national team in 2016.

The players they are handling now are the result of early development. And now Southgate and De La Fuente have the right to experience their success over the years fostering young talents.