Barcelona defender’s nightmare against PSG and the flashbacks of the 2024 season it brings

Barcelona defender’s nightmare against PSG and the flashbacks of the 2024 season it brings Joao Cancelo had a night to forget against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday as he struggled defensively against Desire Doue and found himself overwhelmed by the Parisien side’s press. He played at both left-back and right-back on the night and did not convince on either flank, especially given how he was booked early in the game and was forced to play with caution throughout. It was, in many ways, reminiscent of his struggle against the same opposition back when Xavi Hernandez was the manager at Barcelona and he was a player on loan in the 2023-24 season, as reported by SPORT . A horrendous show On Tuesday night, Barcelona’s teenage protege Xavi Espart looked far more mature and level-headed than the veteran in the full-back position, as Cancelo failed to make any form of impact on the game. Cancelo struggled against PSG. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images) For starters, the player saw an early yellow card for an unnecessary foul on Doue and struggled to defend against the PSG winger. The left-flank, in fact, became PSG’s single-biggest attacking outlet for the men in white. Later in the game, he moved to right-back and took his miserable performance to the other flank, as was evident in the fourth goal that PSG scored, when Fabian Ruiz walked the ball into the net. Ironically, the same situation arose in 2024 when Barcelona played their second-leg clash against PSG in the UEFA Champions League under Xavi. Entering the game with a 3-2 lead, the Catalans were the favorites, but Ronald Araujo’s red card changed everything. At that time, Ousmane Dembele smoked Cancelo on the flank and scored the equalizer for PSG. He then also conceded a penalty that handed the opponents the lead on the night, and the game then collapsed for Barcelona. The second coincidence A massive game awaits the defender. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Back in 2024, when Cancelo struggled to hold his own against PSG, Barcelona’s next game was against Real Madrid, and the player once again fell short in the decisive game. On that night, it was Lucas Vazquez who tormented the Portuguese star as he won a penalty, scored a goal, and even delivered a cross for Jude Bellingham’s winner. So far this season, Cancelo has been largely positive and has shone as an attacking asset. Last night’s game, however, exposed his defensive fragility once more, and it is clear that a lot has to improve. Heading into El Clasico immediately after the PSG defeat once again, moreover, all eyes will be on the defender to see if he can get past the ghosts of 2024.