Marc Cucurella reflects on Real Madrid form and El Clásico performance

Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella has shared his perspective on the club's current standing, asserting that the team is currently the best in Europe. Following a challenging start to his tenure at the club, Cucurella has seen his form improve significantly, becoming a reliable fixture in the defensive line over the past month.

In a recent interview with Cadena COPE while on duty with the Spanish national team, Cucurella discussed his performance in the recent El Clásico match against Barcelona. When asked about his role in neutralizing Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, the defender remained modest about his contribution. "Did I talk to Lamine Yamal after El Clásico? No. I don't have to say anything. We won, and I played a good game. That's it," Cucurella stated, adding that he prefers to let his work on the pitch speak for itself.

Cucurella also took the opportunity to highlight the impact of his teammate Arda Güler, whom he described as an underrated presence in the squad. Despite the presence of high-profile stars like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, Cucurella pointed to Güler as the player who has surprised him the most. "When Arda plays, we are a different team. He has that baby face, but he is an impressive player and has a lot of quality," he noted.

The conversation also touched upon the form of Vinicius Junior, who has faced recent scrutiny regarding his performance levels. Cucurella defended his teammate, emphasizing that even world-class players experience difficult stretches. He noted that he sees Vinicius training with intensity and remains confident that the Brazilian forward will return to his peak form, which he believes would make Real Madrid an unstoppable force.

Regarding defensive responsibilities, Cucurella addressed comparisons between Vinicius Junior and Yan Diomande. He clarified that while Diomande’s defensive contributions are often more visible to the public, Vinicius is also active in tracking back. He argued that the media focus often highlights the one instance where a player fails to track back rather than the multiple times they successfully do so.

Finally, Cucurella offered insight into the leadership of manager José Mourinho, describing him as a supportive and approachable figure behind the scenes. He shared a lighthearted anecdote about Mourinho joking with him regarding a personal pledge, noting that the manager's public persona differs significantly from his personality within the dressing room. As Real Madrid continues its season, Cucurella remains focused on maintaining his current momentum and contributing to the team's collective success.