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Marc Cucurella could also be teammates with Lamine Yamal for Spain, however when meet subsequent month, friendship will take a again seat — at the least for 90 minutes.
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The left-back delivered a playful warning to the Barcelona teenager forward of their showdown, promising that he “gained’t maintain again” when the whistle blows at Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella and Yamal had been a part of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad, and each have carried that type into the brand new season.
Now, destiny brings them face-to-face in one of the crucial anticipated Champions League fixtures of the yr — Chelsea vs. Barcelona on November 25.
When requested if he’d go simple on his younger worldwide teammate, Cucurella couldn’t resist a joke.
“I gained’t maintain again there,” he laughed. “The nice factor is that there’s nonetheless an extended method to go earlier than the World Cup. If I knock him out, he’ll have loads of time to get better!”
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Cucurella reveals if he had any regrets leaving Barcelona
Cucurella, identified for his tenacious defending and trademark curls, made it clear that camaraderie gained’t have an effect on his aggressive edge.
“I like taking part in in opposition to folks I don’t know, I really feel extra comfy,” he added. “And I’m not one to jot down to opponents earlier than video games in the event that they’re mates.”
The 27-year-old additionally mirrored on his journey from La Masia to the . Regardless of coming by way of Barcelona’s well-known academy, he has no regrets about leaving.
“I wouldn’t change my profession for having stayed at Barca,” Cucurella stated. “Possibly if I had stayed, I wouldn’t have had taking part in time or realized what I’ve realized.”
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He credit his development to experiences exterior Spain, saying his distinctive fashion — not fairly “made in La Masia” — helped him adapt to totally different soccer cultures.
As Chelsea put together for a stern take a look at in opposition to Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, Cucurella’s mix of humor and starvation offers followers a glimpse of the fiery spirit ready to ignite beneath the Stamford Bridge lights.
Yamal would possibly wish to lace his boots tight — the tackles are coming quick and pleasant.
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