Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella has been praised for not giving Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal the chance to play his best football during El Clasico.
Barcelona suffered their first LaLiga defeat of the season as Real Madrid recorded a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou. Mbappe scored the two decisive goals but Madrid defense also prove themselves against a well-drilled attack.
Cucurella produced a defensive masterclass as he was selected ahead of Alvaro Carreras to handle Yamal.
The former Chelsea star restricted Yamal’s influence throughout the 90 minutes, denying the teenager time and space in dangerous areas.
Lamine Yamal is challenged by Marc Cucurella during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Speaking post-match, Jose Mourinho admitted that managing Yamal presented Cucurella with his toughest challenge yet. “The kid is very good and difficult because, besides being good, he’s clever,” Mourinho observed.
”He tried everything to get Cucu a yellow card, but Cucu held his own very well.”
”It was a great team effort, but it’s probably the toughest match Cucu has had, and he came out on top against a very good player,” Mourinho added.
Mourinho explained that squad rotation played a key role in keeping Cucurella fresh for the high-intensity fixture. “We have two top-level left-backs, which also allows me to manage playing time a bit,” Mourinho noted.
”Alvaro played the last match on Wednesday, which has allowed Cucu to be fresh and focused, thinking only about this game.”
”Seeing them there, ten meters away from me, is when I truly understand the quality of the players,” the coach concluded.
