"Cancelo has taken over the left side in recent matches, including tough away games and critical knockout ties. Thankfully, he has settled in a bit more recently. Still, questions remain about his consistency and his ability to defend. The Portuguese needed a bit of time to get going after arriving from Al-Hilal."
"He has started four of Barcelona's last five matches and, aside from a brief rest against Villarreal before the Copa clash with Atlético Madrid, he has been on the pitch from start to finish. There have been flashes going forward too. Cancelo assisted goals against Levante and Atlético, reminders of why Barcelona were interested in bringing him back to European football."
"The night against Atlético ended up marking a strange turning point. Cancelo played well, arguably his best performance since returning. The same match also cost Barcelona two defenders when Jules Koundé and Baldé both pulled up with muscular problems. Flick suddenly had very few options left, and Cancelo plays both on the left and right of the defense."
João Cancelo arrived at Barcelona from Saudi Arabia without expectations of playing every crucial match, but injuries to key defenders have forced him into a regular starting role. After an initial adjustment period to adapt to the pace and Flick's aggressive defensive system, Cancelo has now started four of Barcelona's last five matches. He has provided assists against Levante and Atlético Madrid, demonstrating his attacking capabilities. A standout performance against Atlético Madrid marked a turning point, though that same match resulted in injuries to Koundé and Baldé. Cancelo's versatility across both flanks has proven valuable, with Barcelona securing a clean sheet in their subsequent away match at San Mamés.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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