Cucurella needed 161 minutes to win over the Bernabéu

Marc Cucurella did not need a goal, a spectacular assist or several months to settle in. It took him 161 minutes to earn the approval of the Real Madrid supporters and establish himself as a serious contender for the starting position at left-back.

His first start, against Málaga, demonstrated why José Mourinho wanted him in the squad. Cucurella was intense, reliable defensively and constantly prepared to move forward. The Bernabéu quickly recognised a player who treats every action as if the result depends on it.

A FIRST START FOLLOWED BY APPLAUSE

Cucurella had made two substitute appearances before the meeting with Málaga. Mourinho handed him his first start on LaLiga matchday three and received exactly the type of performance expected from the Spain international.

The defender played aggressively and stayed close to his opponents from the opening minutes. One of the loudest rounds of applause followed his duel with David Larrubia. Cucurella continued pressing the winger until he won the ball cleanly. His teammates immediately congratulated him and the crowd responded to the intervention.

The moment summarised his entire performance. Cucurella did not simply protect the left side. After forcing a throw-in, he ran to collect the ball himself and restarted play quickly while Málaga were still reorganising.

It was a minor action in the context of a 4-0 victory, but those are precisely the details the Bernabéu notices. Effort is appreciated when it is genuine, repeated and useful to the team.

Real Madrid recorded their third consecutive league win and kept another clean sheet. Cucurella completed the full match without giving Mourinho a reason to worry about the left side of his defence.

THE NUMBERS SUPPORT THE IMPRESSION

Cucurella recorded 76 touches against Málaga. He completed 46 of his 51 attempted passes, producing an accuracy rate of 88.2 per cent, and created one attacking opportunity.

His defensive contribution was even more impressive. The Spaniard made four tackles, recovered possession five times, won an aerial duel and blocked an opposition shot.

These were not statistics accumulated at walking pace once the result was decided. Cucurella established a high level of intensity from the beginning and maintained it regardless of the score. “AS” reports that 161 minutes across three appearances have already been enough to win over the dressing room and the supporters.

That consistency is exactly what Mourinho expects from his full-backs. Real Madrid already have several players capable of deciding matches in the final third. Cucurella offers something different: concentration, defensive cover and a tempo that does not disappear after one successful action.

MOURINHO HAS REAL COMPETITION AT LEFT-BACK

Cucurella’s impressive beginning does not automatically remove Álvaro Carreras from the picture. Mourinho wanted two strong options in every position, and left-back is already showing why that approach can benefit the team.

According to “AS”, Mourinho currently has greater confidence in Cucurella, although the competition remains open. Performances in Valdebebas and during matches will determine who starts. Neither player has been promised a permanent place.

Cucurella has already provided a convincing case. He is a world champion, knows LaLiga, has been tested by the demands of the Premier League and can operate as a traditional left-back, a wing-back or on the left of a three-man defence.

Mourinho has gained an experienced player who still performs with the urgency of somebody fighting for his first opportunity at a major club.

His integration into the dressing room has been similarly quick. Cucurella has developed a particularly close relationship with Espí during training and has become one of the squad’s most expressive personalities. When he completed defensive actions against Málaga, his teammates reacted with the same enthusiasm as the supporters.

Comparisons with Marcelo are far too early. The Brazilian built his status through many seasons and hundreds of appearances. Cucurella’s start does suggest, however, that Real Madrid may once again have the left side of their defence protected at an extremely high level.

Three appearances, 161 minutes and his first applause from the Bernabéu. Cucurella has not won the position permanently. He has already made it impossible for Mourinho to overlook him.