Declan Rice has said his ‘midfield battle’ with Rodri will be key to England’s hopes of beating Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
England are one win from winning a first major tournament in 58 years and will go head-to-head with Spain at the The Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday.
The Three Lions have reached a tournament final overseas for the first time and a second successive European Championship decider, as Gareth Southgate’s side look to exorcise the ghosts of defeat to Italy on home soil at Euro 2020.
Spain stand in their way of a drought-breaking triumph and have been the standout side at Euro 2024 this summer. La Roja have won an unprecedented six games in a single tournament and are aiming for a record-breaking fourth European crown.
Rice believes his ‘midfield battle’ with Spain counterpart Rodri will be crucial to the outcome, with the Premier League midfielders often compared during last season’s title race between Arsenal and Manchester City.
“We constantly get compared to each other but I think we’re completely different players,” Rice said at a pre-match press conference.
“The midfield battle will be key. I’ve been playing a bit more attacking at Arsenal, he’s been more of a defensive midfielder. I started my career as a centre-back. He’s a born-and-bred Spanish holding midfielder.
“If you look at the best who’ve played there – Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets – they play it the best that you can. I’ve had to learn it, to try and adapt, ask questions, try to improve myself daily.”
England have changed to a 3-4-2-1 formation for their last two fixtures and Rice believes the tactical tweak has given the Three Lions greater control. The 25-year-old is hoping England can use the pain of their final defeat three years ago as added motivation this weekend.
“We’ve had much better control. We passed the ball really well, we’ve been a lot more fluid between the lines. We’ve been calm and composed. I think we’re all really confident that we can improve on the last final and show that we have learned what’s needed to win a final.
“Seeing Italy walk up at our home stadium and lift that trophy is something that lives with you.”
