Chelsea continue their Champions League preparations with confidence after brushing aside Burnley 2-0 in the Premier League ,a match where Marc Cucurella delivered a steady performance down the left flank. Now, just 24 hours before facing Barcelona, the Spaniard knows he is walking into a far tougher assignment, particularly with the prospect of going up against his electric countryman Lamine Yamal.
Softfootball earlier reported that Enzo Maresca had high praise for Estevão, calling the young Brazilian a future top star for Chelsea. With both clubs fielding some of the brightest young talents in Europe, anticipation is soaring ahead of what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the round.
Sharing his thoughts during the player portion of the pre-game press conference, posted via Chelsea’s official YouTube page Cucurella spoke with his usual calmness and humour, outlining what Chelsea must do to get a result and acknowledging the scale of the challenge ahead.
Speaking about Chelsea’s approach to the match, Cucurella explained:
The key will be to take the ball away from them and the physical aspect as well.
He went on to praise Barcelona’s strength and quality despite their inconsistencies this season:
Barça is a great team. This year they may not have completely controlled the matches, but they are the league and cup champions. They are doing things well, they have a lot of talent.
Looking ahead to the atmosphere and spectacle of the game, he added:
It will be a very exciting match and we are eager to prove ourselves. It’s a great game. We have two of the best young squads in the world. It will be very entertaining. People who watch the match will enjoy it a lot.
Asked about the challenge of facing Lamine Yamal, the defender dismissed the idea of making it a personal duel:
Tomorrow isn’t Lamine versus Cucurella. It will be a tough battle, but hopefully we can play a good match and win.
Finally, on the unpredictability of elite attackers and the importance of collective effort, he said:
Against these players you never know what they’ll do, but I know him a little and I have the support of my team. It’s eleven against eleven. We hope to take the three points, which are very important for us.
Catch the full Chelsea’s pre game press conference posted via the team official youtube page, watch below;
Facing Lamine Yamal will be a far sterner test than Burnley offered, but Cucurella’s belief in collective effort signals a team fully aligned with Maresca’s philosophy. Barcelona may bring their usual flair, but Chelsea’s blend of youth, energy, and tactical discipline promises a compelling battle under the Stamford Bridge lights.
As both clubs arrive with two of the brightest young cores in world football, all signs point to a high-intensity spectacle, one that could shape the momentum of Chelsea’s Champions League campaign. With the players energised, the fans expectant, and the stakes rising, the Blues head into the clash eager not just to compete, but to prove they belong among Europe’s elite once again.
