Losing key players for important games is something FC Barcelona can no longer afford. Already this season, La Blaugrana have fallen behind in their quest to clinch the top spot in La Liga.
Both Girona and Real Madrid have taken sizeable leads over Barcelona as it stands, and much of it can be blamed on the absence of certain key players.
However, not all absences are due to the same reason. Gavi, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, and Marcos Alonso are all currently unavailable for selection due to injury. On the other hand, Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong will miss the upcoming game due to suspension.
In De Jong’s case, an accumulation of five yellow cards now prevents him from featuring against Almeria in La Liga. However, if Barcelona are not careful, there is key a player in the team who could be suspended for the next La Liga game if he picks up a yellow card against Almeria.
As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Portuguese fullback Joao Cancelo is one yellow card away from being suspended from the game against UD Las Palmas. Following the Almeria clash, Barcelona will have to wait until January of next year to play Las Palmas. However, going into that game without Cancelo would be a huge blow.
The player’s first yellow card came against Sevilla, then the second was against Granada, after which two more cards came against Atletico Madrid and Valencia.
With a fifth booking, players are suspended for the subsequent game. For this exact reason, Xavi will have to be careful with the instructions he gives to Cancelo in case the player is deployed.
On loan from Manchester City, Cancelo has been one of Barça’s best players this season. The Portuguese fullback has an extraordinary level of technical ability as well as a range of passing and creativity. His involvement in the team always makes Barça look more dangerous collectively. As such, ensuring he does not get suspended would be a priority.
Apart from just Cancelo, however, Barcelona also has other players that have accumulated a fair few bookings. Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix, and Oriol Romeu all have three yellow cards to their names as well. They will also be hoping to escape the game against Almeria without any reckless decisions.
