FC Barcelona suffered a double blow in defense after the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal, where the injuries of Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde were confirmed.
Both full-backs, regular starters for the blaugrana side, will be sidelined for several weeks at a crucial stage of the season.
Koundé is suffering from a thigh injury in his left leg and is expected to be out for four to five weeks, while Balde has sustained a distal injury to his left thigh and will be unavailable for about a month.
These absences force coach Hansi Flick to restructure the defense, but the solution may already be within the squad: João Cancelo.
The Versatility That Saves Barça
The 31-year-old Portuguese veteran has become a key element for the Catalan side. After a period with limited minutes and some doubts about his form, Cancelo is now seen as Barcelona’s “lifeline.” His ability to play on both sides of the defense gives Flick the flexibility needed to cover the gaps that have emerged.
In his second spell with Barcelona, Cancelo has played seven matches this season (three in the Copa del Rey and four in La Liga), featuring five times as a left-back and twice as a right-back.
In total, wearing the blaugrana shirt, he has made 49 appearances: 29 as a left-back and 18 as a right-back, while on several occasions he has also been used further up the pitch.
Throughout his career, the former Manchester City player has recorded 254 matches as a right-back and 119 as a left-back, demonstrating his experience and tactical adaptability.
Flick’s Alternatives
Besides Cancelo, Flick also has other options to cover the right flank. Eric García, Ronald Araújo, and Marc Casadó can be repositioned in that area, as they have done before.
On the left flank, apart from Cancelo, there is the natural alternative Gerard Martín, while the possibility of calling up players from the academy is also not ruled out. Right-back Xavi Espart and left-back Patricio Pacífico have trained with the first team and could be included in the squad if the situation requires it.
At such a delicate moment in the season, when every match is decisive, João Cancelo’s flexibility and experience could prove crucial for Barcelona’s objectives.
Now the responsibility falls on the Portuguese defender to prove that he is the right man to keep the blaugrana defense strong in the absence of the regular starters.
