Manchester City star Rodri outlines ‘mistake’ Spain must avoid to win Euro 2024

“Every team is different and plays in different ways. It would be a mistake to think that only one style would lead us to victory.

“You have to adapt and change. Sometimes you need one thing, sometimes another. I hope we control the game. But it’s all about having a style that leads to victory.”

The pressure is on the Euro 2008 and 2012 winners, who have failed to get past the last 16 at four of the last five major tournaments.

But Rodri insists: “We came here to win and show that Spain is capable of winning the Euros again.

“We don’t think about anything else. We have to compete from the first minute. We need to know what it takes to win. And we are not allowed to slip or have 10 bad minutes or you will be sent home. You have to stay the course for 90 minutes and be strong in both pits.”

They will be without former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, with boss Luis de la Fuente unwilling to risk him while he recovers from a muscle injury.

“He had a chance to play but we will rest him and see if he has a chance to play on Thursday (against Italy),” De La Fuente said. “If everything goes according to plan, then he will play.

“He didn’t get hurt, he just had a few problems. I decided he would not play. It’s a precaution.”

However, while Laporte is held back, Barcelona’s 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal looks set to be unleashed from the start.

“He’s a young guy with incredible talent,” De La Fuente said. “It’s almost a gift from God. Few players have his talent.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and get your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out anytime you want. If you are curious, you can read Privacy Notice.