Robert Sanchez was extra of a VIP spectator than an lively participant in Chelsea’s dominant 3-0 win over FC Barcelona on Matchday 5 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. After the sport, the Spanish goalkeeper spoke candidly concerning the Blues, and delivered a pointed message to Lamine Yamal and the Barça aspect.
Yamal was one among a number of Barcelona stars who struggled to create significant probabilities. The 18-year-old went head-to-head with Spain teammate Marc Cucurella, whose excellent two-way efficiency earned him Man of the Match honors.
Within the combined zone, Sanchez was requested about Cucurella’s outing towards Lamine Yamal, and the goalkeeper didn’t maintain again. “He’s acquired him in his pocket,” he stated, emphasizing how the left again fully shut down the wonderkid at Stamford Bridge.
A significant distinction within the match got here right down to depth within the ultimate third. Chelsea accomplished 93 passes within the attacking third, whereas Barcelona managed simply 34. Requested concerning the disparity and the extent of depth between Premier League and La Liga groups, Sanchez once more spoke bluntly: “Ultimately, everybody seems to be nice till they arrive to the Premier League. That’s what I at all times say.”
Marc Cucurella of Chelsea runs with the ball while below strain from Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona.
Sanchez, who solely needed to make two saves, his hardest coming in a one-on-one towards Ferran Torres, who missed the goal, was additionally requested whether or not Barcelona ought to nonetheless be seen as high contenders. He closed with one other daring declare. “I see ourselves favorites for the Champions League, not Barca,” he concluded
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With the win at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea climbed to fifth within the general Champions League desk with 10 factors, whereas Barcelona dropped to fifteenth and will slide additional with a number of matches remaining. Nonetheless, such a dominant efficiency towards one among final season’s greatest groups has positioned Chelsea, who have been with out star Cole Palmer, as respectable title contenders.
Yamal’s response to being substituted
Ronald Araujo’s purple card within the forty fourth minute proved decisive, leaving Barcelona short-handed and struggling to generate any risk towards Chelsea, however Yamal, who shocked followers this yr by ending second within the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, was largely off the radar. He was substituted within the eightieth minute for the primary time this season with Barca chasing the sport.
With Hansi Flick unable to seek out options, both in his preliminary setup or off the bench, the supervisor made the daring name to switch Yamal with Dani Olmo within the eightieth minute. Down 3-0, Yamal walked slowly to the bench in seen frustration, capping one of the vital forgettable performances of his younger profession.
