Cucurella Reveals Liverpool Star Chelsea Targeted in Tactical Masterclass

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has lifted the lid on one of the key tactical secrets behind the Blues’ 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday — and it involves none other than Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah.

In what was a thrilling Premier League encounter, Estevao Willian’s late strike sealed all three points for Enzo Maresca’s side, with Cucurella playing a decisive role by delivering the cross that led to the winner.

Speaking after the game, the Spanish full-back revealed that Maresca’s game plan deliberately focused on exploiting spaces left by Salah during Liverpool’s attacking transitions.

“We know that [Mohamed] Salah is always ready for the counterattack, so we practiced that,” Cucurella told Sky Sports.
“Our manager [Enzo Maresca] said that the space might be there [on Liverpool’s right side]. We saw that it was the last minute, but we kept attacking. I tried to give my last effort, and I crossed for Estevao.”

The win was Chelsea’s second consecutive victory under Maresca, signaling growing confidence in the new manager’s tactical blueprint. The Blues will next face Nottingham Forest after the international break.

Opinion: Maresca’s Chelsea Are Beginning to Think Like Champions

Cucurella’s revelation says a lot — not just about Liverpool’s weakness, but about how Chelsea are evolving tactically under Enzo Maresca.

In previous seasons, Chelsea’s play often looked reactive and uncertain. But now, they appear strategically aware, deliberately targeting vulnerabilities and executing a clear game plan. Identifying Salah — one of the league’s deadliest forwards — as a tactical weak point took courage, and the plan paid off brilliantly.

What’s most impressive isn’t just the result, but the mentality shift. Chelsea didn’t settle for a draw; they pressed until the last minute and earned the win with intent.

Maresca’s side is beginning to show signs of the intelligent, fearless football fans have longed for — and if this tactical sharpness continues, Chelsea might just be ready to challenge the top teams again, not by outmuscling them, but by outsmarting them.