Marc Cucurella: I Plan To Make Saka Uncomfortable

By The Editor
on 14th July 2024

Cucurella looking forward to Saka battle…

Spain defender Marc Cucurella is looking forward to his battle against Bukayo Saka ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin with the two player familiar with each other, The Athletic reports.

Cucurella has been one of the standout defenders in the tournament and will need to produce his best display yet if he’s to quell the threat of Saka.

The Arsenal man is England’s main outlet on the flanks and with Phil Foden coming more centrally, Saka will be tasked with causing havoc down the right.

With Gareth Southgate operating a back-three since the Switzerland game, it will be interesting to see how often England can get the 22-year-old higher up the pitch and in a position to trouble Cucurella.

“I know how Saka plays,” Cucurella was quoted as saying ahead of the game.

“I don’t really need to watch a lot of footage as I normally watch all the Arsenal games. It is so tough to mark him, but those challenges are nice for me. Playing against rivals of such quality is nice, I’m sure we both can’t wait for it.

“My main target is to make him feel uncomfortable,” the Chelsea man added.

The last time Saka came up against the former Brighton man, Arsenal ran out 5-0 winners against Chelsea with the winger assisting Kai Havertz for one of his goals.

Cucurella had some success in the meeting at Stamford Bridge last year, though Saka turned up the heat following the interval and managed to drag us back level with his cross for Leandro Trossard.

Selfishly, it would suit Saka if Southgate was to ditch the back-three system and instead match Spain’s 4-2-3-1 which would allow the Arsenal man more options to get into the final third.