Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez caused a stir with his comment that his teammate Marc Cucurella had definitely put Lamine Yamal “in his bag” during the Blues’ emphatic 3–0 Champions League victory over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. The teenage winger, a widely recognized as one of the brightest talents in Europe, could hardly be seen as Chelsea’s hard work and tactical astuteness simply brushed aside the Catalan giants.
Yamal, for the first time he played a competitive match against a Premier League team, was closely watched a court by Cucurella, who followed him like a shadow and did not let him have any substantial influence. Barça had some moments but Sánchez was hardly tested as he made just two routine saves and was quick to irritate the youngster with his comment after the game. “Everyone is great until they come to the Premier League,” he said, referring to the fact that Cucurella was the one who dominated the match.
One can say that Chelsea were physically on top and that was the case for almost the entire Champions League season so far which is also the reason why the games in this competition are dominated by English teams. Yamal who also had a very quiet Euro 2024 final against England was forced several times to use his weaker right foot, a move which Cucurella revealed later as part of their plan.
Cucurella said that the most important factor to do the Ballon d’Or runner-up in was that besides the Moisés Caicedo and the other teammates helped him create a good understanding. Despite the fact that Barcelona have started the season like the most likely winners of the tournament Sánchez said that there was only one goliath now: “We are the ones who will win it.”
