As Spain prepares to face England in the Euro 2024 final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, defender Marc Cucurella has set his sights on making Bukayo Saka uncomfortable during their anticipated showdown. The match promises a compelling battle down England’s right flank, where Saka, a key figure in Gareth Southgate’s lineup, will look to assert his influence against Cucurella, widely regarded as one of the tournament’s standout left-backs.
Cucurella, who has closely tracked Saka’s performances through their encounters at club level—Chelsea versus Arsenal—expressed confidence in his approach. “I know how Saka plays,” Cucurella affirmed to The Athletic. “I don’t really need to watch a lot of footage as I normally watch all the Arsenal games.” Despite acknowledging the challenge of marking Saka, Cucurella relishes the opportunity to compete against such high-quality opponents.
“My main target is to make him feel uncomfortable,” Cucurella emphasized. He emphasized Spain’s tactical approach, suggesting that their ability to dominate possession and manage defensive responsibilities effectively will be pivotal in dictating the game’s outcome. “If we dominate the ball as we’ve done and stay aware of the high pressure and everything we need to do to avoid counter-attacks, we’ll have plenty of chances to win,” Cucurella added, underlining Spain’s strategy heading into the final.
Saka, expected to start as a right wing-back in England’s adapted 3-4-2-1 formation, has been instrumental in their journey to the final. His contributions, including a crucial goal against Switzerland in the quarter-finals, highlight his growing influence under Southgate’s tactical adjustments.
As anticipation builds for the clash, Cucurella’s determination to unsettle Saka underscores the competitive intensity of the impending final. With both players poised to play pivotal roles, their duel promises to be a captivating subplot in the battle for European supremacy on Sunday evening.
