Spain captain Rodri Hernandez has called Soctland’s way of playing rubbish after his side fell to a 2-0 defeat at Hampden Park on Tuesday night. He accused the home side of wasting time, simulation and provocation, also claiming it was up to the referee to take action.
Luis de la Fuente fell to his first defeat in his second game, with a brace from Scott McTominay condemning Spain to a loss. With Alvaro Morata on the bench, Rodri took the armband for the night, and while he did show his face after the defeat, he placed the responsibility for it elsewhere.
“It’s their way of playing and you have to respect it, but for me it’s a bit rubbish. Always wasting time, they provoke you, they fall…”
“For me, this is not football. For the speed of the game, you have to keep going The referee has to assume this, but he doesn’t say anything,” Rodri continued.
“It’s a bit frustrating because we want to win.”
The Manchester City star did not stop there, claiming the referee had to do more. Curiously there were two of them, after the Sandro Scharer was replaced at half-time by Lukas Fahndrich.
“We have to use our weapons and we will learn for the next time, we want to get to the next ties and we always fight, but this is not about fighting. It was (Scotland’s) wasting time… But this is up to the referee, not us.”
Teammate David Garcia had previously complained that the grass was too long on the Hampden pitch, which inhibited their game. That was one of the few faults he did not find with Scotland.
“They have played a good game, the pitch is no excuse, they have their conditions and we have to adapt. The first goal meant we were trailing and it is difficult against a line of five locked up, even so we have had chances, but the ball didn’t go in, and we have to be more effective.”
The general consensus after the match has been that Rodri’s excuses were weak and unfounded. While Scotland no doubt engaged in plenty of game management, the likes of Joselu Mato, Dani Ceballos and Pedro Porro were no stranger to the so-called dark arts either. Particularly after a defeat in which they were outplayed, Rodri’s excuses did not strike a chord with many.
opeh1985
0
what happened to no excuses, just move on to the next stage, get on with it fool !!!
Vameis
1
You are most hater footballer Rodri
kababdkz
0
So they were rubbish but they won? Then how bad were you as captain Caliente.
Yesdikotz
2
just blame yourself you didn't have a style of play for the first time Spain played an urgly game you deserve to lose if no change you still going to lose even more
yutcklpstu
3
Rodri has certainly bought a copy of Klopp's book titled " Excuses".
jeffseth75
0
Rodri nearly destroyed Odeegard with a horrible tackle when Spain played Norway but luckily Odeegard sacked the pain in and continued! Now Rodri has eventually injured Kieran Tierney with another horrible kick to his ankle and unfortunately Tierney is now expected to be on the sidelines for a while! Now Rodri is complaining about Scotland claiming they were very "provocative"?[Crylaugh]
that human nature, u turn to pick out faults in others quicker when you're like them
Madcap_237
4
Rodri nearly destroyed Odeegard with a horrible tackle when Spain played Norway but luckily Odeegard sacked the pain in and continued! Now Rodri has eventually injured Kieran Tierney with another horrible kick to his ankle and unfortunately Tierney is now expected to be on the sidelines for a while! Now Rodri is complaining about Scotland claiming they were very "provocative"?[Crylaugh]
Simon360
4
Scotland played for result and they used a suitable tactic to achieve that. One of the simple football knowledge is frustrating your opponent and playing to your advantage.
Hibacdeoy
4
Animal! After u nearly destroyed odergaad with EVIL TACKLE, u dare to call rightful winners “rubbish”? U are the rubbish. Rubbish Rodri
Niccelst
3
every team that takes a lead will do anything to let the clock ticking they would do anything to waste time spain italy you name them they would do same so just take it like a man not act like moaners
Chimdivictory
2
take the L and stop bitching about it
KHMMURU07
3
So Rodri wants Scotland to be like here bro, there is ball go and score or ?. . . . A real player accepts his failure and rise up to win not by crying and weening after loss.Grow up
jauilotz
0
I don't know what coaches see in Dani Ceballos, that boy for me is not good to Don madrid jersey let alone LaRoja shirt
Sakar-Babu-Gharti
4
The one who was flying with a near career ending tackle now preaching about the game. Accept it. You got served. Stop moaning about it.
Jessegilbert
2
More excuses 😜 as xavi always said the best team lose I think 🤔 Pedri on xavi's philosophy
Mangisha
1
It's wrong but it still is football. Spain is better than Scotland, everyone knows. Scotland knws. Scotland wouldn't beat Spain in Spain way. They have to use "Scotland" way to beat Spain. That's just how it is.
cacacdlnu
5
RODRI, what about bad tackles on other players, how do u explain that?
ceuabnor
2
It’s a bit rich from Rodri as Man city is very well known for tactical fouls which is exactly what he is describing here😂😂😂
Seyberyz
2
... how and why would you expect your enemy (opponet) to play to YOUR OWN strenght, when you wouldn't do that?
lawalidris
2
The most important thing is the points which Scotland got at the expenses of Spain. it doesn't matter the the system of play so long it produces goals that is enough to earn you maximum points.
UnbeatenRB
0
this is a tactic that so many clubs and national teams use . it's nothing new. this guy should have more respect and give critics ina more modern way instead.
Mohan__P
0
u can't expect everyone to play pep's football other teams aren't that good... so they defend accordingly.
Saeaceistu
2
Nonsense
Saeaceistu
1
Rubbish