According to a report by Daily Post on Monday October 26, 2026, José Mourinho has praised Marc Cucurella for his defensive performance against Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal after Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over their rivals at Camp Nou on Sunday.

The Spanish left-back was reportedly selected ahead of Álvaro Carreras specifically to contain the threat posed by Yamal, one of Barcelona’s most dangerous attacking players. Cucurella delivered an impressive display, limiting the winger’s influence and preventing him from creating clear opportunities in dangerous areas.

Speaking after the match, Mourinho acknowledged the difficulty of defending against Yamal, highlighting not only the teenager’s technical ability but also his intelligence on the pitch.

“The kid is very good and difficult because, besides being good, he’s clever,” Mourinho said.

He added that Yamal had attempted several times to provoke Cucurella into receiving a yellow card, but the defender remained composed throughout the contest.

“He made multiple attempts to provoke Cucu into receiving a yellow card, yet Cucu demonstrated remarkable resilience,” Mourinho said.

The manager praised the collective effort behind the victory but singled out Cucurella’s individual contribution, describing the encounter as arguably the defender’s toughest assignment.

“The victory reflected collective excellence, though this was arguably Cucu’s most difficult match, and he prevailed against an exceptionally talented opponent,” he added.

Mourinho also explained that managing the playing time of his left-backs had helped ensure Cucurella was physically ready and mentally focused for the high-pressure fixture.

“We have two top-level left-backs, which also allows me to manage playing time a bit,” he noted.

According to Mourinho, Carreras’ involvement in Wednesday’s fixture had allowed Cucurella to preserve his energy and concentration ahead of the clash with Barcelona.

“Álvaro participated in Wednesday’s fixture, which has ensured Cucu maintains optimal physical condition and mental concentration, directing his attention exclusively towards this particular match,” he said.