A fresh batch of tactical observations from top-league matches. The Barcelona–Real Madrid clash is covered in a separate piece.
### Cucurella Tried in Chelsea’s Midfield – Slot Gets Rattled
Chelsea entered the game against Liverpool (1–1) on a six-match losing streak in the Premier League, missing all their wingers, including 18-year-old Jesse Derry. Calum McFarlane found an inventive solution. He sent Cole Palmer to the right flank – a fairly obvious move given his versatility. But on the left, the surprise was Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard had some experience in La Liga, but for Chelsea, this was his debut in such a role.
Despite Cucurella not playing in midfield for a long time, Chelsea focused their attack on the left flank. Through that direction, the visitors launched 48% of their offensive moves in the match.
Cucurella justified the trust. His trademark was making runs in behind the defense, exploiting Liverpool’s traditional vulnerability – the gap between the full-back and center-back. Curtis Jones moving out wide only deepened the hosts’ problems, as he lacked defensive quality and communication.
The frequency with which Cucurella found space in the first half terrified Arne Slot. During the interval, the Dutchman switched Liverpool from a back four to a back five. Now Jeremy Frimpong regularly dropped in alongside Jones. Overall, the issue was contained, but at the start of the second half, they conceded a goal that originated from yet another Cucurella run. This time, the Spaniard mistimed his movement slightly – he was caught in a narrow off
