Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella says lack of experience and poor structure led to their Champions League exit against PSG

Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has explained why the club was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, pointing to a lack of experience and tactical discipline as key factors behind the heavy defeat.

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Chelsea were knocked out in the Round of 16 after losing both legs to PSG, who progressed with an emphatic 8–2 aggregate victory over the Premier League side.

Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Cucurella admitted that many players in the squad were not accustomed to competing at that level of European competition, which contributed to their downfall.

He noted that the team failed to maintain composure during crucial moments of the tie and made costly decisions under pressure.

According to him, Chelsea could have managed the situation better, especially in the first leg where the game remained within reach before PSG extended their advantage.

Cucurella also highlighted tactical shortcomings, stating that the team attempted to push forward without sufficient structure, which allowed PSG to exploit gaps and demonstrate their clinical edge in front of goal.

He acknowledged the disappointment of the result, describing it as difficult to accept given the effort put into preparing for such high-stakes matches.

He added that performances at the top level require not only quality but also experience, game management, and discipline.

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The Spaniard concluded that Chelsea are still developing as a squad and must improve to consistently compete with Europe’s elite teams in future Champions League campaigns.