Barcelona had a game to forget on Tuesday night following their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League.
Everything that could have gone wrong for Hansi Flick’s side did. Jules Kounde scored an own goal to give Chelsea the lead in the 27th minute before Ronald Araujo was sent off on the stroke of half-time.
Ironically, Araujo has been heavily linked to Chelsea in the past and has now done the Blues a huge favour without even playing for them.
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Flick would have been disappointed with his two yellow cards at Stamford Bridge, but the Barcelona bench were furious long before his dismissal.
Hansi Flick during Chelsea vs Barcelona
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Barcelona felt Chelsea’s first goal was offside
According to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella, there was fury on Barcelona’s bench after the first goal they conceded.
A UEFA graphic eventually cleared things up, but Barcelona initially felt that Marc Cucurella was in an offside position in the build-up to Kounde putting the ball into the back of his own net.
Following that incident and Araujo’s sending off, Estevao Willian and Liam Delap scored to put Chelsea 3-0 up.
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It was the perfect night for Enzo Maresca’s side, who have now moved up to fifth in the Champions League table.
Chelsea’s next game is against Arsenal in the Premier League, but Maresca was coy on whether Estevao would start despite his latest exploits.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca giving instructions to Estevao Willian
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Marc Cucurella at the centre of everything
Cucurella’s cross for Chelsea’s first goal was not his only contribution. The 27-year-old also did some terrific work defensively.
Cucurella did not give Lamine Yamal a sniff and put in a great performance overall.
Marc Cucurella vs Barcelona Total
Minutes 90
Tackles (won) 5 (3)
Interceptions 2
Clearances 2
Blocked shots 1
Ground duels (won) 17 (7)
Key passes 1
Via Sofascore
Despite having once played for them, Barcelona will be sick of the sight of the Spain international.
When Cucurella was at Eibar, he scored against Barcelona, who had loaned him to the Spanish club at the time.
They eventually sold Cucurella to Getafe, a decision that the La Liga champions must now regret.