Marc Cucurella delivers Lamine Yamal verdict ahead of upcoming Chelsea meeting

Marc Cucurella is looking forward to the challenge Spain teammate Lamine Yamal will pose in the UEFA Champions League. Chelsea have been drawn against the reigning La Liga champions in the League Phase, with that fixture set to take place at Stamford Bridge in November.

Enzo Maresca's side will be hoping to follow up on their European success last season, after they won the UEFA Conference League. The Blues also finished fourth in the Premier League in 2024/25, earning them a place in Europe's elite competition.

Cucurella, who previewed his side's Champions League campaign whilst on international duty with Spain this week, says he is looking forward to the natural challenge European football brings.

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“We'll have to play in the Champions League," he began. "It'll be a beautiful and special match, and I hope it's a tough one for them. We're playing at home, and that's always a plus.

"He’s the hardest winger to stop. He’s a very skilful player; you never know what he’s going to do to you.

"It’ll be a tough match, but I’ll try to make things as difficult as possible for him," before jokingly saying, "I can’t injure him either, because otherwise I won’t be able to come back to the national team."

Given Barcelona already has six players in the current senior Spain set-up, Cucurella also joked that he is already feeling the pressure when meeting up with the national side.

"They're already saying we're going to have to face each other; they say they're going to beat us," the 27-year-old revealed.

"I know we're going to make things difficult for them. For me, it'll be a special match; we're also playing at home, and I think it will be very nice."

Chelsea begin their UEFA Champions League campaign against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on September 17, in what promises to be a blockbuster occasion.