Real Madrid are beginning to discover what Chelsea supporters have known for some time: Marc Cucurella is a defender you underestimate at your peril.
The left-back has consistently delivered against some of the world's most dangerous attackers. He kept Lamine Yamal quiet in last season's Champions League before doing so again in this year's El Clasico, while also proving more than capable of containing the Premier League's best wingers.
Cucurella has earned a reputation as a defender who can make even the most gifted opponents look ordinary. The only ones who have succeeded over him are the PSG wingers, and not many have survived their onslaught.
The Spanish international became one of Chelsea's most important players after arriving from Brighton, overcoming a difficult start at Stamford Bridge to establish himself as a reliable and influential presence on the left-hand side.
There are parallels with his early days at Real Madrid, where he appears to be following a similar trajectory under Jose Mourinho, gradually finding his feet and showing exactly what he can bring to the team.
The Real Champs Site Expert, Hridyam Arora, has been full of praise for the new arrival, praising his recent defensive performances this month.
"Marc Cucurella’s first few matches at Real Madrid were... fine. It was an improvement on players he had joined to replace, but wasn’t nearly as good as what fans were accustomed to seeing from him in international tournaments for Spain.
Since the Clasico, though, it seems like he’s taken things up a notch. Cucurella looks unbeatable on the defensive end. If he continues like this, there is no limit to the levels Real Madrid’s once laboured-defense could reach."
His energy, aggression and willingness to throw himself into challenges make him a nightmare for opposition wingers, while his ability to contribute in the final third adds another dimension to his game.
Cucurella may not always receive the same recognition as some of Europe's more glamorous full-backs, but his performances speak for themselves.
Tenacious, intelligent and rarely short of commitment, he possesses the qualities that made him such an important player at Chelsea and have quickly made him a valuable asset at Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho.
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