Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid and Spain player
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Real Madrid spent significant money to reinforce the squad in the summer, bringing in close to seven new players.
Among them was Marc Cucurella, the Spain left-back who had enjoyed an excellent World Cup after a solid couple of seasons with Chelsea.
However, Cucurella has endured a mixed start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu. His contrasting performances for Real Madrid and Spain have attracted attention.
Former Spain international Salva Ballesta has pointed to the dramatic improvement he sees whenever the defender joins the national team.
Cucurella looks different with Spain
As quoted by Defensa Central, Ballesta said that the left-back has not reached the same level at Madrid that he consistently produces for Spain.
“There are players who aren’t performing at the same level at their clubs, but they join the national team and triple their level, like Cucurella,” Ballesta said.
Cucurella only arrived at the Bernabeu this summer and has been adapting to Mourinho’s system.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Marc Cucurella is just settling into life at Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Spain provide a far more familiar environment. Their positional structure and emphasis on controlled possession allow Cucurella to operate differently.
Madrid, by comparison, have frequently played at greater speed. Their attacking players want to break quickly, which can leave the full-backs covering considerably more space when possession is lost.
Cucurella himself has acknowledged those stylistic differences and stressed that Madrid are still building the foundations of Mourinho’s project.
If Cucurella can consistently perform at an elite level for Spain, the question is not whether the quality exists.
Madrid’s challenge is finding the conditions that allow him to reproduce it at club level and ensuring that the threefold difference is not visible.
Mourinho does not need to copy Spain’s system, but greater balance around Cucurella could help.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
It is way too early to pass a judgement on Marc Cucurella. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
His aggression and energy are most effective when he can step forward confidently without constantly worrying about huge spaces appearing behind him.
Having someone like Vinicius Junior ahead of him also does not help the Spaniard. The Brazilian is not the most defensively inclined, and this often leaves Cucurella to deal with situations on his own.
It is still early days for Mourinho’s project at Madrid, and there is no doubting Cucurella’s innate quality.
As the players settle in and the system begins to take shape, do not be surprised to see the Spaniard become one of Mourinho’s most important players in the coming months.
Manchester City star praises Real Madrid amid financial turmoil – “Bernabeu is my favourite stadium”
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Real Madrid are widely regarded as one of the most feared teams in Europe and the kings of the Champions League.
Even in seasons when Los Blancos have not been at their best, they have proven to be a thorn in the side of top European teams.
Last season, for example, Madrid annihilated Manchester City in the Champions League despite having a very poor season otherwise.
City star Jeremy Doku has paid Real Madrid a significant compliment, naming the Santiago Bernabeu as his favourite stadium.
He has also named Los Blancos as the best team he has faced during his career.
Doku singles out Madrid and the Bernabeu
As reported by Defensa Central, the Manchester City winger made the comments during a personal quick-fire interview with Sports Direct.
“The Bernabeu is my favourite stadium and Madrid are the best opponent I’ve played against,” Doku said.
The answer is significant considering the level of opposition Doku has frequently encountered in the Premier League and with his national team.
Thiago Pitarch, Real Madrid player
Jeremy Doku has faced Real Madrid on multiple occasions with Manchester City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
However, Doku has also experienced Madrid on the biggest European stage several times since moving to Manchester in 2023.
Madrid and City have developed a compelling Champions League rivalry during that period, meeting seven times since Doku arrived in England.
Madrid have enjoyed the better record across those encounters, recording four victories and two draws, with City winning once.
Bernabeu encounters have left an impression
Madrid supporters would be happy to see the recognition their stadium is receiving from other top players in Europe.
The renovated Bernabeu was designed to give Madrid another significant advantage on major European nights, but its reputation had always been built on more than infrastructure.
Players arriving there in the Champions League understand the history attached to the stadium and the possibility of a match changing dramatically within minutes.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City has developed into a rivalry in recent years. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Doku has now experienced that atmosphere as an opponent and, evidently, it has stayed with him.
There is always something meaningful about admiration coming from somebody who has actually faced Madrid rather than simply watched them.
His comments should not be interpreted as anything more than an observation about the club and the stadium.
Madrid have not won the Champions League in the last couple of seasons, which is quite unusual by their standards over the past decade.
Mourinho will be keen to bring the coveted trophy back to the Bernabeu, and it remains to be seen whether Madrid face City yet again this season at some stage.