Central is a risky profession without a doubt. Game after game, the one who is placed in the center of the defense has to face the most powerful rival or, at least, the one in which the enemy has placed all the hopes of being decisive in the victory. The defender’s mission is to prevent that possibility from becoming true. Central law, the one that does not scare those who dress in red and They wear the Federation shield on their chest, as is the case of those in Holland. And the round of 16 matches of the Euro Cup are going to be a clear example of what the fight between the forward and the defender is. Life or death.
Robin Le Normand has given ample evidence that fear does not exist. Respect, yes, but without regard. On Sunday, probably together with Laporte, will have another litmus test against Georgia’s offensive pair and that has been decisive in the presence of his team in the round of 16. All eyes are on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but we must not forget Georges Don’t miss ittop scorer in the Euro Cup with three goals.
Le Normand on Radio MARCA: “Imanol will always be special to me”
A year of success
The ‘Donostiarra’ is not afraid of the rival or the pressure. His debut with Spain came with a Nations League semi-final against Italy and a subsequent final against Croatia. In the path traveled in the last year, since he made his debut as a Spanish international, He has passed all the tests that have been presented to him, among them seeing each other’s faces Haaland in Oslo. With Real Sociedad he has also faced forwards like Lautaro and Mbappé himself in these twelve months.
We know that he is a very dangerous player and that he has shown it at club level and of course with the national team.
Now he faces Georgia, a team he has faced twice and against whom he scored his only goal for Spain. It was in Nuevo Zorrilla. On Sunday he will face off with Kvaratskhelia, one of the references of European football. As happens with all rivals, the Real Sociedad footballer has studied him, as he does with the rest of his rivals. The national team reports and those provided by his work team around him are part of his roadmap for the games. “We know that he is a very dangerous player and that he has shown it at club level and of course with the national team. Defending him will be the job of the entire team and not of one player specifically, we will surely be prepared for it,” he tells MARCA.
Defending him will be the job of the entire team and not of one player specifically, we will surely be prepared for it.
He is clear about the key to this group’s success: “If we maintain the intensity we will go far. Now, when you lose the ball, everyone runs. And that is key.” Although, “we have to value Georgia because they are in a sweet moment and they are doing things well. We know the rival, we have beaten them, but it is going to be different…”, he commented on Radio MARCA.
Kvaratskhelia acquired star status in the 22-23 campaign, in which Napoli swept, with the Georgian as a star, but his performance last year was not up to par, something that has also happened with his team. Now has reached the Eurocup in full and the Spanish defenders are aware of this, as well as the success of their traveling companion, Mikautadze.
Le Normand’s numbers with the national team are close to the number plate. Fourteen games, fourteen games without losing. Along the way, Italy (twice), Croatia (two), Georgia (two), Cyprus (two), Norway, Brazil, Andorra, Northern Ireland and Albania, with eight games to zero. Since he arrived he took over the position and has become a fixture for De la Fuente, enough to be the third most used player since his arrival on the national team bench.
The time of ‘Kvaradona’
Georgia boasts of having the top scorer (Mikautade) and the best goalkeeper (Mamardashvili) from the Euro. He clings, however, to his great talent: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.“It’s better than all of Spain”assured the Valencia goalkeeper with a mischievous smile.
“He will win the Ballon d’Or,” predicted his teammate Osimhen after, a year ago, ‘Kvaradona’ will guide Naples -scored 14 goals and distributed 17 assists- to reconquer the ‘Scudetto’ after 33 years! Standby.
Kvaratskhelia: “It’s the best day in the life of Georgians”
His performance has plummeted this season, but in the Euro, playing inside, he has reengaged: is the player who the more fouls he receives of the tournament (10) and the fourth that most dribbles completed (8).
“He is a special player, very fast and exceptionally good one-on-one,” Nacho emphasizes.
‘Kvara’ only needed to score. He achieved it against Portugal (2-0) at 92 seconds! to get the historic pass to the round of 16 on track.“Winning the Scudetto was memorable, but this is the happiest day of my life because winning with Georgia is more difficult,” He said with the MVP and his idol Cristiano’s jersey under his arm.
Winning the Scudetto was memorable, but this is the happiest day of my life because winning with Georgia is more difficult
What’s more, now he believes he is unstoppable: “No one believed we could beat Portugal, but we can beat anyone.”
