Rodrigo Muniz has really burst onto the scene in the Premier League this season.
The Fulham striker has been scoring for fun in 2024, earning a Premier League Player of the Month award in the process.
Muniz has taken on every single challenge he’s faced head-on, and he’s rarely struggled in a battle with any defender.
Speaking to TNT Sports in Brazil, Muniz has been discussing the most difficult defenders to face in the Premier League, and he interestingly said that Harry Maguire is a tougher opponent than Virgil van Dijk.
Harry Maguire tougher than Virgil van Dijk
The striker spoke about playing against Maguire compared to Van Dijk.
“Maguire bothered me more when marking me than Van Dijk,” Muniz said.
“He guarantees himself a race, I understand and against Manchester United I think it was a more difficult, also Maguire, he is always on your body and giving you a pat like that. You’re pushing and it makes you feel like you’re not concentrating on the game,” Muniz said.
Muniz is perfect for Maguire
It’s not a shock to hear that Muniz didn’t like playing against Maguire.
Indeed, the Brazilian’s skillset really suits Maguire’s style of defender.
Muniz isn’t necessarily blisteringly quick or incredibly tricky with his feet, he’s a physical striker who likes to use his body to get into dangerous positions.
However, against Maguire, you aren’t going to get that sort of joy, as Muniz says, Maguire is a defender who likes to get really close to you and martial you in his own way, and while that’s easy to play around if you’re fast enough or trick enough, when you’re a player who relies more on physicality, you’re going to struggle.
Muniz has been fantastic this season, but it’s fair to say he struggled against Maguire.