Georgia boss Willy Sagnol was full of praise for one Manchester City player.
Sagnol’s Georgia side face Spain in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Sunday night.
Luis de la Fuente’s side would be fancied to get the job done and progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
However, Georgia have proven at the European Championship with their 2-0 victory against Portugal that teams should doubt them at their own peril.
As a result, Rodri and his Spanish teammates will have to be at their best to achieve their desired result.
Willy Sagnol hails Man City and Spain midfielder Rodri
The £62.5 million man looks set to return to Spain’s starting line-up after serving his one-match suspension in his side’s 1-0 win against Albania.
Alongside Fabian Ruiz and Pedri, the Manchester City anchor is a part of arguably the best midfield trio at the tournament; a trident that play with a degree of synchronisation that Spain’s great midfield trios of the past often would.
The question is whether they will be able to control proceedings against a Georgian side who are defined by their fearlessness and swift counter-attacking style of play.
Ahead of the contest, Willy Sagnol lauded Rodri as he was discussing some of Spain’s biggest assets.
Sagnol said in his press conference via TJ Sports USA: “You’ve got also, for me, one of the best players in the world playing in your midfield, you know with Rodri and I said, when I look at [the] Spanish team, all the positions are filled up with great players.”
Euro 2024 could enhance how Rodri is viewed
Recently,Darren Bent claimed that the 28-year-old is as influential to this current Spanish side as Sergio Busquets was in his heyday — indicating how highly he is rated already.
However, players like Rodri have a tendency to go under the radar — playing in one of the most understated positions on the pitch as holding midfielders.
Having conquered club football with Manchester City, the further Spain go into the ongoing European Championship, the more the midfield maestro’s reputation will improve amongst the masses.
International football is a different ball game compared to playing at club level and as a result, if Rodri continues to impress, he will be viewed as a player who can perform at his best regardless of which team he plays for.
Considering how important he is to this Spain team, if they go on to win the tournament, his stock could reach an all-time high.
