2 - João Cancelo

[Nazario1985]

He is a keeper.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

Both sides have had a tricky season, so tomorrow’s game will be significant. Cancelo admitted the 2023-24 campaign was not easy for the Catalans.

“Not really. The coach [Xavi] said he’ll leave [at the end of the season], and the team has had highs and lows for the entire season. It’s difficult to explain this dynamic, but football always gives a chance for redemption, which is what a win over Napoli would represent,” the ex-Juventus and Inter defender told Gazzetta.

“Our season would have a different aspect. There are bad and good moments in football and we must remain united and positive.

“Napoli comes to mind, too. Football is a strange sport. Their season has been tough as well. They won the Scudetto playing spectacular football. After that, they had to change coach, but it wasn’t the right one. They changed again, and it didn’t work, so they changed again. It happens. Sometimes, you try to do things, but they don’t work. Napoli have the same pressure to win as Barcelona.”

The Portugal international faced the Partenopei many times in Serie A.

“I’ve always liked Napoli because they are a club with deep roots in the city,” he admitted.

“When I arrived in Italy, Maurizio Sarri was the coach and they played great football. We kept them alive after the first leg. We played greatly in the first half and should have scored more goals. We were superior, but they didn’t do much, and now we are on par.”

Cancelo believes the Catalans should not only focus on Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on Tuesday.

“How about Matteo Politano? They are exceptional talents. Osimhen had a half-chance in the first leg but still found the net. He’s one of the best strikers in the world. There’s more. I like Zielinski, but he is not on the UEFA list and Lobotka. I faced him with Portugal, and he’s a great player.”

Zielinski has been left out of Napoli’s Champions League list as the Poland international won’t extend his expiring contract and is expected to join Inter on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Barcelona talent Lamine Yamal didn’t shine in the first leg two weeks ago, but Cancelo is convinced the 16-year-old has a bright future ahead.

“He is an incredible player. Playing for Barcelona at 16 is not for everybody. He is a special talent, but talent is not enough in football. You need mentality, and, from what I see, Lamine has it. He’ll have a great future if he remains focused and those around him help him keep his feet on the ground. Watch out for Cubarsí and Fermin. The Masia is doing a great job and developing great players.”

He is an incredibly astute player, and talented. Very tricky for a big guy. People here forget how many times he's saved the team's ass this season. I consider him one of the best attacking fullbacks in the world. He follows Xavi's instructions well. He *should* dribble players; often beats them, and knows what to do with the ball when he does. A good shot, and also excellent at picking out targets. One of the bright spots for Barca this season.

 

[te amo barca]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1769485726301683759

 

[Deco]

Same as in Man City?

 

[Messi983]

What exactly happened at City? I thought he fall out of favor with Pep because he changed the system and Cancelo wasn't a starter anymore? Not the same case here as he was pretty much starting all the games when fit to play.


Whatever it is I hope he gets all the support he needs from his beloved ones and the club. Not always his biggest fan but he's part of the "Barca family" now. Get well soon, Joao.

 

[Jaguar]

Read he had tested positive for a serious heart problem, other sources say it’s fine. I swear if he genuinely does we are either cursed or there is someone in our medical department or someone that has power to somehow affect our players health that works for Real Madrid, or a hardcore Real Madrid fan and pure Anti-Barcelona. I’ve had this in my stomach for years now and I can never rule it out as a possibility. World is fucked up as it is. It just seems whenever positive energy is around Barcelona somehow we are targeted with something awful to genuinely f*ck up the club or our players.

 

[Horatio]

Read he had tested positive for a serious heart problem, other sources say it’s fine. I swear if he genuinely does we are either cursed or there is someone in our medical department or someone that has power to somehow affect our players health that works for Real Madrid, or a hardcore Real Madrid fan and pure Anti-Barcelona. I’ve had this in my stomach for years now and I can never rule it out as a possibility. World is fucked up as it is. It just seems whenever positive energy is around Barcelona somehow we are targeted with something awful to genuinely f*ck up the club or our players.

Or Man City docs are more adept at catching future complications early and offload player asap. Aguero

 

[Don Juan Laporta Estruch]

Probably some sort of personal bereavement. Apparently he is one of the most popular members of the dressing room. Always joking around and keeping morale high.

The worries that he would be a problem were farcical to say the least and based on nothing but baseless , spurious rumours.

 

[DonAK]

Read he had tested positive for a serious heart problem, other sources say it’s fine. I swear if he genuinely does we are either cursed or there is someone in our medical department or someone that has power to somehow affect our players health that works for Real Madrid, or a hardcore Real Madrid fan and pure Anti-Barcelona. I’ve had this in my stomach for years now and I can never rule it out as a possibility. World is fucked up as it is. It just seems whenever positive energy is around Barcelona somehow we are targeted with something awful to genuinely f*ck up the club or our players.

His family member, probably sibling or parent has a heart defect. The club did tests on him to find out of it was hereditary. He'll be back next game as he was cleared.

 

[Jaguar]

Or Man City docs are more adept at catching future complications early and offload player asap. Aguero

Football players also get checked by their own doctors though, not just the clubs doctors. So if City seen he had future heart problems and loaned him out multiple times without a quick sale and not telling him when his own doctors can catch them out and wonder why they didn’t detect it, would be very dumb from them

 

[Joan]

If he indeed has a hereditary heart defect, doubt it affects his career short term. Or even long term. Nothing for us to worry about. Of course, hope it's not true and he's healthy. Very likable chap.

 

[Total-Football]

So what people die everyday b. Get ready for next game

 

[Andresito]

He's fine and has joined up with rest of his Portugal teammates. Business as usual.

 

[Temptation]

OUCH!



João Cancelo: "Manchester City were ungrateful with me. Pep Guardiola spread lies about me, that I was a bad teammate. Ask Aké or Rico Lewis, they know the truth. Yet the club never called out these lies, despite me being an important player."

 

[DonAK]

Considering Juventus were happy to get rid of him, Bayern didn't care too much about wanting him back and City threw him out as well, there's a good chance Cancelo himself has some sort of an issue too.

He played very well at all three clubs too.