With the aim of surprising Real Madrid, and realizing the danger of Vinicius on the left wing, Xavi Hernandez decided to change the El Clasico draw. Instead of the usual four-man defense, the Catalan coach decided to form a defense with three midfielders, with Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde the most advanced. The Portuguese’s situation was more clear, because he became the team’s right winger
Against Real Sociedad, the experiment continued, and Cancelo returned to playing on the right side of the attack. At Manchester City, the right-back was used to playing in other positions or roles. Whether on the left side or playing inside, the Portuguese has adapted to the needs of Pep Guardiola. But this time, he doesn’t seem to be very happy with the new position assigned to him by Xavi
The fans welcomed Cancelo’s arrival to Barcelona with great celebration. In his first match as a starter, the new signing provided plenty of options in attack and scored a goal to seal Real Betis’ win at home. The next day in the league, and without it being his best match, he provided an assist and the winning goal against Celta, after the team was losing by two goals
After an unbeatable start, the euphoria faded for Cancelo. His increases in attack left many gaps in defense that his opponents knew how to exploit. A defect that a full-back of his age cannot bear. Although he continued in the starting lineup, on a day when a player like Vinicius could threaten his team, Xavi decided to change the entire system because he did not trust the Portuguese to defend the Brazilian star. When it looked like Barcelona had finally found the right-back they so desperately needed, when reality set in, it wasn’t enough
Property is in danger
Even if Xavi did not trust Cancelo in defence, he preferred to change the team’s formation rather than leave him on the bench. However, his right-wing role, in addition to his dislike of the player himself, does not help the team. His last two games at the position have improved. In fact, these were the first matches that the Portuguese did not finish, with the exception of the match against Antwerp, in which his dose was changed
His recent performances could see Cancelo relegated to the bench in the coming days. Playing more advanced and with Ronald Araujo as a full-back, turning to the Portuguese international no longer makes sense. In his place, it would be helpful to have a pure winger like Rafinha or Lamin Yamal who is also able to participate in defence. It remains to be seen what Xavi will do with this problem
