Enzo Maresca names the player who always gives Chelsea an advantage, he now faces his toughest test
Enzo Maresca will be hoping that he can inspire Chelsea to victory over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Chelsea host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, needing a win to move into the top eight in the Champions League table.
The likes of Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto could be key for the Blues, with the pair both scoring in Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over Burnley.
Will Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League?
As well as Fernandez and Neto, Marc Cucurella could also be very important for Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca claims Marc Cucurella always gives Chelsea an advantage
Maresca has been discussing Cucurella ahead of the game, stating that the defender always hands Chelsea a massive boost on the pitch.
“He has been phenomenal,” Maresca said via Chelsea’s official club website. “Since I came to the club, his level has been high, not only his defending but also as part of our play with the ball. Cucu always gives us an advantage, and we are delighted with him.”
It will certainly be a very interesting match for the left-back, who has played for Barcelona and scored against them.
In the 2018/19 season, Cucurella netted in Eibar’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona, but he may have to do a bit more defending than attacking this time around.
In Lamine Yamal, Cucurella is set to go up against one of the most dangerous wide men in the world.
Lamine Yamal will be Marc Cucurella’s toughest test yet
Since joining Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022, Cucurella has not faced too many wingers of Yamal’s quality.
The Barcelona star is one of the best dribblers in the world, so Cucurella is going to have to be focused for the whole 90 minutes. Even so, he has tried to downplay the upcoming battle.
Marc Cucurella is playing down his battle with Lamine Yamal
“We have a good opportunity. We need to know it’s two big games, but it’s nothing more than three points.
“It’s difficult to play against them [type of players] because they have special talent and a lot of quality. It’s not Lamine [Yamal] vs Cucurella. It’s a big game. We need to have a big game.”
Marc Cucurella
According to FBref, Yamal completes 5.64 successful take-ons per 90, which is high even for a winger. He also takes 8.00 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 so will be looking to get into Chelsea’s box on Tuesday night.
The above is what makes Yamal so dangerous and why he is going to be such a tough opponent for Cucurella.
Cucurella, of course, is very familiar with Yamal’s playing style after lining up alongside him for Spain, while the former Brighton man is quite a good defender. It will be a difficult test, but it is definitely one that Cucurella is capable of passing.
