(foto: pigac.si)
Barcelona's aspirations for winning La Liga and the Champions League have been severely dented within a single week, largely due to defensive lapses from Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese defender, on loan from Manchester City, displayed exceptional skills, particularly in the Champions League return leg against PSG. However, his performance was marred by critical errors in that game and again in the recent El Clasico against Real Madrid.
Following the defeat in El Clasico, the dissatisfaction among Barcelona fans has escalated, with many expressing their desire online for Cancelo not to remain at the club next season. This sentiment underscores the pivotal role Cancelo played in the disappointing outcomes of the week's matches.
Dutch legends Frank De Boer and Marco Van Basten have also commented on Cancelo's performance, noting his lack of responsibility on the field. "Now I understand why Guardiola is no longer fond of Cancelo. He plays his game and only thinks about what he will do with the ball. But he is a defender!" said De Boer. Van Basten added, "It's odd that Joao Cancelo, at 29, makes such mistakes in defense."
Before his stint at Barcelona, Cancelo was on loan at Bayern Munich and moved to Manchester City in 2019 from Juventus. His future, particularly whether Barcelona will exercise their buy option from Manchester City, is now a topic of significant speculation and debate, reflecting the high stakes and expectations placed on him.