In a setback for Barcelona, defender Joao Cancelo hobbled out of the La Liga clash against Las Palmas after just 10 minutes, marking an early injury blow for the Catalan side. Joao Cancelo, who was named in the starting XI for Barcelona’s opening game of 2024 against Las Palmas, endured a short-lived appearance on the field. The on-loan Manchester City defender had to be substituted by Andreas Christensen after sustaining a leg injury following a collision with an opposition player.
Concerns for Xavi and Barcelona
Barcelona’s manager, Xavi, will be anxiously awaiting updates on Cancelo’s injury, hoping it is not a serious setback. Cancelo has been a pivotal player for Barcelona since his summer move from Manchester City, displaying versatility in playing roles at both right-back and left-back. Barcelona is reportedly keen to retain Cancelo beyond the expiration of his current loan deal at the end of the season.
The injury to Joao Cancelo adds to Barcelona’s growing list of injury concerns in recent weeks. The team has already been grappling with setbacks, including long-term injuries to Gavi and absences of key players such as Pedri, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, and Marcos Alonso. Cancelo’s early departure compounds the challenges for the Catalan club.
Early Collision and Subsequent Struggles
Cancelo’s injury occurred in the early stages of the clash with Las Palmas on Thursday evening, involving a collision with Maximo Perrone. Despite attempting to continue playing, Cancelo displayed clear discomfort and was later forced to leave the field with strapping on his knee. The 29-year-old defender’s second attempt to play was short-lived, and he required assistance from Raphinha to exit the pitch.
To compound Barcelona’s woes, Las Palmas seized the opportunity and swiftly opened the scoring after Cancelo’s departure. Former Barcelona forward Munir capitalized on the situation, breaking the deadlock and giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
As Barcelona faces an important schedule of fixtures, the extent of Joao Cancelo’s injury remains uncertain. The club and fans will be eagerly awaiting further assessments to determine the duration of Cancelo’s potential absence from the squad. The injury comes as an additional defensive challenge for manager Xavi at a crucial juncture in the season.
