Cucurella Targets Real Madrid Revival After Strong Spain Form
Marc Cucurella will target another strong Spain display before returning to Real Madrid, with the left-back insisting he can bring his international form back to the Bernabeu after a difficult opening to life under Jose Mourinho.
Spain have won their first two Nations League matches and now host Czechia in Oviedo on Saturday before travelling to Croatia on Tuesday. Cucurella has impressed in wins over England and Croatia during the current break, extending the form that helped Spain become world champions.
His club situation has been far less smooth. The €55 million (£46m) summer arrival from Chelsea was exposed down Madrid’s left side in the derby defeat to Atletico Madrid, while Mourinho’s side have also lost to Real Betis. Seven La Liga games into the campaign, Madrid sit six points behind leaders Barcelona.
Cucurella asks for time
The defender has pointed to a disrupted summer and limited preparation time as Mourinho attempts to establish his methods in a new spell in the Spanish capital.
“It is a process,” Cucurella said. “Spain have had the same foundations, players and coach for years. At Madrid we are only starting with a new manager, so it is too early to judge. Some of the squad had only a week of pre-season.”
He added that the early results have fallen short of expectations but believes Madrid’s position should be assessed at the end of the season. Cucurella also accepted that he must quickly adjust following his move from Chelsea.
“We have not even reached 10 matches,” he said. “There are details to improve. I arrived at a new club with virtually no pre-season, and I need to understand my team-mates. My aim is for the Cucurella seen with Spain to be the same one at Real Madrid.”
Who is affected
- Marc Cucurella: Madrid’s high-profile new left-back needs to turn his Spain performances into club form after a troubled derby outing.
- Jose Mourinho: The Madrid coach is under early pressure after losses to Betis and Atletico left his team six points off Barcelona.
- Real Madrid: The squad must use the post-international-break period to reduce the early La Liga deficit.
- Spain: Luis de la Fuente’s side can make it three Nations League wins from three against Czechia.
De la Fuente has described Cucurella as “sensational” for Spain and said certain players can reach a level well above their club output in the national-team environment. Cucurella has been named among the Ballon d’Or nominees alongside Spain colleague Lamine Yamal and Madrid team-mate Kylian Mbappe.
Asked about the award, Cucurella joked that he would choose himself if he had a vote, before saying he would be pleased if either of his two team-mates won it.
What happens next
Cucurella is expected to feature as Spain face Czechia on Saturday, followed by Tuesday’s trip to Croatia. He will then return to Mourinho’s squad with Madrid needing their new signing at full strength as they try to close on Barcelona in the title race.
