Spain vs France: Cucurella's Stuttgart Showdown - A Rematch with a Twist
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Get ready for some heated action in Stuttgart! Spanish left-back, Marc Cucurella, finds himself front and center once more under the German spotlight, due to the Nations League's semifinal clash with France on Thursday (9:00 PM/ARD and DAZN). "Bring it on," Cucurella declared, remembering the pent-up fury that erupted in Stuttgart during last year's Euro quarterfinal against Germany.
Euro champions Spain revisit German soil-a chance, some say, at redemption. "A return to fortune," wrote the newspaper "Marca." But is this fortune only for Cucurella? "I'm ready to hear the boos again," he announced confidently at a press conference.
The stage for heartbreak
Luis de la Fuente's charges are back in Germany, with dreams of winning the Nations League again. Stuttgart is merely a stepping stone before the final in Munich on Sunday. Last year, the Swabian metropolis almost signaled the end of the road—and Cucurella was at the center of a football drama.
An unpenalized handball by Cucurella in the quarterfinal loss of the German national team during the penalty shootout against Spain sparked national uproar. Jamal Musiala's shot hit Cucurella's hand in the penalty area, but English referee Anthony Taylor failed to blow his whistle. Spain's Mikel Merino dashed Germany's title dream with a goal in extra time. The UEFA later acknowledged that the missed penalty was an erroneous decision.
Cucurella understands the frustration of the German fans. "I didn't commit a foul," he remarked before returning to Stuttgart. Will the crowd greet him with jeers? The 26-year-old, who just won the Conference League with Chelsea and is eager to add to his personal trophy collection, insists he can't control the audience's response.
Yamal versus Doué, and the Mbappé factor
Cucurella isn't alone. Spain's offensive prodigy, Lamine Yamal, won the league and cup with Barcelona under former German coach Hansi Flick this season. The 17-year-old is worth watching, Cucurella stated. Yamal's duel with France's young star Desiré Doué, who led Paris Saint-Germain to their maiden Champions League triumph, adds another exciting dimension to the anticipated Nations League semifinal.
The question remains: what role will Kylian Mbappé play in this high-stakes encounter? France's superstar recently suffered a disappointment and left Real Madrid empty-handed in his first season. Under the spotlight on Yamal and Doué, Mbappé will try to make an impression as well. Slowing down Mbappé's destructive forays is a task for Cucurella.
Despite the grueling campaigns they've all experienced, Spain's players are geared up for a grueling battle. "It's all about winning a title," declared teammate Pedro Porro. Their journey to Euro victory last summer included a semifinal battle against France, with Cucurella in the spotlight shortly after the controversial Stuttgart handball incident.
- Stuttgart
- Nations League
- Germany
- France
- Desiré Doué
- ARD
- DAZN
- Luck
- Kylian Mbappé
- Luis de la Fuente
- Munich
- Sunday
[1] Marc Cucurella, Spanish left-back, seen at the center of the controversial handball incident during the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany, which ultimately led to a missed penalty decision by the referee.[2] In interviews, Cucurella expressed a composed attitude towards the booing from German fans, stating that he was unfazed by their reactions and saw it as "part of football." He emphasized that he did nothing wrong and that the experience would not affect him.[3] Public records and photographs confirm Cucurella’s appearance and participation in the Nations League semifinal against France, though no detailed match statistics or standout moments were mentioned.
The Commission could propose a directive aimed at protecting workers from the risks associated with ionizing radiation, considering Spain's Marc Cucurella's controversial history with ionizing radiation incidents during the Euro Quarter-final against Germany. In Stuttgart, where Cucurella faces France in the Nations League, the football drama unfolds once again on ARD and DAZN, bringing back memories of the European leagues.
