BRING ON THE SPAIN

CHELSEA leftback Marc Cucurella wants nothing more than to take the three points on offer when his Blues host former club Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday (10pm kickoff).

The 27-year-old Spaniard welcomes his countrymen in the colours of the team that gave him his break in professional football.

After spending the years between 2012 and 2016 at the Barcelona Academy, Cucurella graduated to the B team between 2016 and 2018. However, he never played for the first-team and left for Getafe on a permanent deal after a loan spell at the club as well as some time at Eibar before joining Brighton and then Chelsea. 

Of facing Lamine Yamal and the rest of the Barca stars, Cucurella wysed: “It’s a very special game for me and my family...

“Hopefully we can play well and take the three points.” 

After four rounds in Europe, the Blues are in 12th position with seven points – a similar record to that of Barca, who are in 13th place.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola said he was “embarrassed and ashamed” of his behaviour after confronting a cameraman following Manchester City’s damaging 2-1 loss at Newcastle on Saturday.

City now prepare for a Champions League home match against Bayer Leverkusen, a match which will mark Guardiola’s 100th game with the club in the competition.

City are fourth on the standings with three wins from four, while Leverkusen are 21st after only one win in Europe to date.

Sixth-placed Newcastle, with three wins, meanwhile, make the trip to France where they’ll tackle Marseille who are 25th after one win from four.