Chelsea claimed a 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night
16:45, 26 Nov 2025
Lamine Yamal of Barcelona
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Lamine Yamal could not stop Barcelona from losing to Chelsea(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Chelsea star Robert Sanchez has issued a clear verdict on Marc Cucurella's battle with Barcelona talent Lamine Yamal in the Champions League tie.
The Blues claimed a 3-0 victory over the La Liga giants in their league phase fixture at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
A Jules Kounde own goal opened the scoring for Chelsea before strikes from Estevao Willian and Liam Delap secured the victory for Enzo Maresca's side in the capital.
Cucurella earned the player of the match award for his performance, where the left-back was largely tasked with keeping Yamal quiet during the game.
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The performance from Cucurella did not go unnoticed with his Chelsea teammates, either, with Sanchez quick to praise the defender.
"He's got it in the bag," told reporters in the mixed zone after Chelsea's win over Barcelona, when asked about Cucurella's battle with Yamal.
"Everyone is great until they come to the Premier League," the Chelsea goalkeeper added.
Yamal has been in fine form for Barcelona this season before losing to Chelsea on Tuesday night. The teenager, who is also a teammate of Cucurella's with Spain, has scored six goals and provided eight assists across all competitions so far this term.
Maresca was delighted with the performance from Chelsea, with the attention now turning to the weekend's clash against Arsenal in the Premier League.
Marc Cucurella of Chelsea
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Marc Cucurella got the Player of the Match award vs Barcelona(Image: GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
"For me, personally, as you said, it's a big win, especially because the other team was Barcelona," Maresca said. "But nothing changed in terms of what team we are, what we can achieve.
"So for sure it's important tonight's game, but no more than that. It's finished, now focus on the next one that is difficult again."
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Chelsea will now prepare to face Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League, as they aim to close the gap on the league leaders which currently stands at six points.
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