SM
Arsenal vs. Man United: 1 day 1 hr 24 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Barcelona confirm knee injury for defender Joao Cancelo

:Headline: Barcelona confirm knee injury for defender Joao Cancelo:
Barcelona reveal that defender Joao Cancelo suffered "a left MCL strain" during Thursday's La Liga contest with Las Palmas.
Sports Mole

Barcelona have revealed that Joao Cancelo suffered "a left MCL strain" during Thursday's La Liga contest with Las Palmas, with the defender forced off in the early stages of the match.

Cancelo was withdrawn in the 11th minute of what proved to be a 2-1 win for Barcelona, with Ilkay Gundogan netting a 93rd-minute penalty to secure a vital three points for the reigning champions.

The success came at a cost, though, with Cancelo picking up a knee problem which has been confirmed by the club as an "MCL strain".

"Tests carried out this morning have revealed that first team player Joao Cancelo has a left MCL strain. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability," read a statement from the Catalan side.

There was initially fears that it could be a long-term problem, but Barcelona boss Xavi said during his post-match press conference on Thursday that the issue "doesn't seem serious".

Cancelo will be absent for Barcelona's Copa del Rey contest with Barbastro on Sunday, in addition to the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup against Osasuna.

The Portuguese will also be missing for a potential final against either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, and the nature of the issue could also keep the 29-year-old out of the league games with Real Betis, Villarreal and Osasuna towards the end of the month.

Cancelo is one of six Barcelona players currently on the sidelines through injury, with Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Pedri, Inigo Martinez and Marcos Alonso also absent.

The reigning champions trailed 1-0 to Las Palmas on Thursday before recovering, and Xavi said after the clash that he was always confident that a comeback would occur.

"In the second half we did well. In the first half, we saw easy spaces in behind the defence but we rushed passes. In the second half we were more calm," the head coach told reporters.

"We came back against a team that no team had come back against this season. I had a lot of faith. At half-time, I told the players that we would win 3-1.

"The key of the match was to attack the space in behind their defence. We trained for that the whole week, but we didn't do well. A lot of offsides, horizontal passes, and low precision. We had to be diagonal.

"The goal that we conceded was our mistake. There is always tension. There are many things when playing a football match – nerves, pressure – but if you talk to me about the penalty, for me it is a clear penalty."

Barcelona are currently third in the La Liga table, boasting 41 points from 19 matches, which has left them seven points behind second-placed Girona and leaders Real Madrid.

body check tags ::

amp_article__533047 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-01-05 18:27:47:
html db last update - 2024-01-05 18:27:47 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Ilkay Gundogan

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:
FB
Read Next:
Thursday's La Liga predictions including Las Palmas vs. Barcelona
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Ilkay Gundogan Joao Cancelo Marcos Alonso Inigo Martinez Pedri Xavi Marc-Andre ter Stegen Gavi Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Thursday's La Liga predictions including Las Palmas vs. Barcelona
Liverpool 'yet to make breakthrough' in contract talks with star player
Yoro is back! When could Man United centre-back make his debut?
Who is Europe's top league scorer in 2024?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona15111343162734
2Real Madrid14103130111933
3Atletico MadridAtletico159512681832
4Athletic Bilbao157532214826
5Villarreal147522723426
6Mallorca157351513224
7Osasuna156542023-323
8GironaGirona156452220222
9Real Sociedad156361311221
10Real BetisBetis155551618-220
11Sevilla155461419-519
12Celta Vigo155372327-418
13Rayo Vallecano144461416-216
14Las PalmasLas Palmas154382026-615
15Leganes153661420-615
16AlavesAlaves154291625-914
17Getafe152761013-313
18Espanyol144191527-1213
19Valencia132471321-810
20Real ValladolidValladolid1523101032-229
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

All-time PL combined XI: Man Utd vs. Arsenal

1

AP

Who is Europe's top league scorer in 2024?

2

WI

Preview: Lazio vs. Napoli - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PL

"They all want to play": Arteta hints at Arsenal injury boosts for Man United?

4

&A

PSG preparing 'bold' swap deal for Chelsea forward Nkunku

5

PP

Barcelona boss Flick 'held emergency meeting' after Las Palmas defeat

6

BB

Man United 'sent scouts' to watch in-demand £60m attacker

7

MU

Slot delivers Liverpool injury update, confirms Alisson return date

8

SD

Tuesday's Premier League predictions including Leicester vs. West Ham

9

TP

Liverpool handed major boost as Newcastle star is an injury doubt

10

LH


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .