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Zubimendi: "The result against Croatia was the fruit of hard work"

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At the Spain press conference, the holding midfielder highlights the value of Rodri, who he competes for a starting spot with, saying "I know very well who he is, I try to contribute"

Martín Zubimendi appeared in the press room at the Media Center in Donaueschingen this Tuesday afternoon wearing a calm and happy expression on his face. The meeting with the media came after a training session behind closed doors that was led by coach Luis de la Fuente. Martin Zubimendi has played 45 games for Real Sociedad this season, 41 of them as a starter, but at the moment he is "in the shadow" of Rodrigo Hernández in his position, according to some parts of the media. Zubimendi dismissed any issues stemming from the situation of him being a "substitute": He added, "Rodri is one of the best, if not the best, in the world in that position; I work to be prepared and to contribute what I can if the occasion arises", insisted the player from San Sebastián.

Zubimendi also looked back on the result and performance against Croatia in the first match of Euro 2024, which was described as "reassuring" from the journalists' seats. For the midfielder, the outcome was "the result of all the hard work we have been doing since the first day of the training camp"; work that gives the squad confidence in their chances of "going as far as possible" in the tournament.

 

Looking ahead to Thursday's clash between Spain and Italy (21:00, Arena Aufschalke in Gelsenkirchen), Martin Zubimendi emphasised the competitiveness of the Italians, which he has experienced "even at youth level, whenever I've played against them".

 

Watch the press conference again