Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella responds to Lamine Yamal after winning El Clasico battle: ‘I prefer to do my job’

Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella has responded to Lamine Yamal about their individual battle after helping his side restrict the Barcelona winger during the 1-2 El Clasico defeat for the Catalan club . The defender’s performance attracted attention because of how effectively he anticipated Yamal’s movements and prevented him from cutting inside onto his preferred route.  The Barcelona youngster struggled to influence proceedings, finishing without a goal, an assist or a shot on target. The contest was quite significant because of the personal rivalry between the two following Yamal’s earlier comments about Cucurella . Cucurella delivers a pointed response to Yamal’s previous warning The rivalry between the two Spain internationals had already attracted attention during the national team’s summer preparations for the World Cup.  Lamine Yamal could not do much against Cucurella in El Clasico. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Yamal had jokingly predicted that Cucurella would struggle against him in their second Clasico meeting, saying he was going to “eat him alive.” However, the defender had the upper hand when the two eventually faced each other in the October Clasico.  Speaking on COPE during Spain’s latest international camp, Cucurella was asked whether he had spoken to Yamal following their encounter.  His response suggested he had little interest in extending the exchange beyond the football pitch. “We didn’t speak; I don’t have to say anything. We won, I played a good game. That’s it. I prefer to stay quiet, do my job,” he said. Yamal’s injury creates uncertainty ahead of Spain’s England fixture Cucurella won the battle against Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) The two players are now expected to reunite in Spain’s national team camp after both received international call-ups for the Nations League fixtures against the Czech Republic and England. However, Yamal will miss Thursday’s meeting with the Czech Republic after experiencing discomfort in his right knee during Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on November 8. The Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed on November 9 that the Barcelona forward would remain in the city to continue his recovery before joining the national team in the coming days.  As reported before, though, he is expected to be available for Sunday’s encounter against England.