Spain's Cucurella: 'I Prefer to Play Badly and Win Than Play Well and Go on Vacation'

Marc Cucurella, Spain's left-back, has declared a pragmatic approach to the upcoming World Cup match against Austria, stating, "I prefer to play badly and win than to play well and go on vacation." This blunt assessment comes as Spain prepares for the knockout stage, with Cucurella prioritizing results over aesthetic play.

"There will be days when our best football won't come out, but the team has to compete until the end," Cucurella explained. "The most important thing is that the team wins, advances. In the end, nobody will remember if we played one or two games well if we become champions, which is the most important thing."

Cucurella, who is set to transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid next season, acknowledged the criticism surrounding Spain's performance thus far. "Criticism is normal. The topic has to be discussed," he said. Despite a disappointing goalless draw against Cabo Verde in their World Cup debut, he highlighted the team's strong defense, which has not conceded a goal in three matches. "Great teams dominate in both areas. Clearly, the fewer goals you concede, the more likely you are to win, and hopefully, we can continue like this, because as long as we defend well, we will be closer to winning the match," he added.

Looking ahead to the match against Austria, Cucurella anticipates a tough contest against a "serious and organized team that likes to play on the transition." He expressed optimism that Spain would show a better version of themselves, emphasizing the need to move the ball quickly and reach their maximum level. "We've been here for a while and we're adapting a bit. Everyone has to travel, everyone has played many games this season. With enthusiasm, everything is forgotten, and tomorrow is a final for us, perhaps the most important match of the year," he concluded, also expressing hope for a strong performance from young talent Lamine Yamal.