The draw for the ‘league part’ of the UEFA Champions League has thrown up some very attention-grabbing fixtures, one among which sees La Liga title-holders FC Barcelona face off towards present Convention League and Membership World Cup champions Chelsea.
The 2 European heavyweights are in what can be a particular match-up for the followers.
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The competition will even deliver some acquainted faces up towards each other, with Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal set to be concerned in a direct duel with former La Masia expertise and Spain left-back Marc Cucurella.
Cucurella praises Lamine Yamal
On Thursday evening, Lamine and Cucurella had been on the identical group as Spain defeated Bulgaria 3-0 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture.
Cucurella scored his first objective for La Roja whereas Lamine set Mikel Merino up for his objective on the evening in a slightly snug win.
Talking to the media after the sport, Cucurella gave his two cents about going through Lamine in a few months when Chelsea and Barcelona face off within the Champions League.
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“We’ll need to play within the Champions League. It’ll be a good looking and particular match, and I hope it’s a tricky one for them. We’re enjoying at dwelling, and that’s all the time a plus,” he stated, earlier than acknowledging the problem of going through Lamine.
“He’s the toughest winger to cease,” famous the previous Barcelona left-back, earlier than including: “He’s a really skilful participant; you by no means know what he’s going to do to you. It’ll be a tricky match, however I’ll attempt to make issues as troublesome as doable for him.”
Cucurella conscious of the problem of going through Lamine. (Photograph by Angel Martinez/Getty Photos)
“I can’t injure him both, as a result of in any other case I gained’t be capable to come again to the nationwide group,” Cucurella joked.
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The Chelsea star additionally gave his opinion on the Ballon d’Or debate and backed Lamine for the prize, saying:
“I’ve to again it. I believe Lamine has had an excellent yr; he deserves it. Ultimately, if he doesn’t win it, it doesn’t matter. He’s very younger, however at his age, the issues he does are price appreciating.”
Cucurella revealed that there’s already playful rivalry in Spain’s coaching camp between Chelsea and Barcelona gamers.
“They’re already saying we’re going to need to face one another; they are saying they’re going to beat us. I do know we’re going to make issues troublesome for them. For me, it’ll be a particular match; we’re additionally enjoying at dwelling, and I believe it will likely be very good,” he famous.
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Lastly, when requested if he had pushed a lot to persuade Fermin Lopez to depart Barcelona for Chelsea this summer season, Cucurella replied:
“You’ll be able to’t say that, in any other case he’ll get indignant.”
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