Barcelona set to revert to back three formation after Joao Cancelo picks up injury – report

Barcelona salvaged a late victory against Las Palmas owing to Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty strike.

While the result provided a much-needed morale boost, Joao Cancelo’s injury in the first half came across as an untimely blow.

The right-back had to be taken off merely in the 11th minute of the game as he was replaced by Andreas Christensen.

Now, tests have come out to confirm that the Portuguese suffered a left MCL strain, which has put his availability for the upcoming Spanish Super Cup under threat.

Back to the back three

In light of Cancelo’s absence, Xavi will now return to a line of three center-backs: Iñigo Martinez, Ronald Araujo, and Jules Kounde, according to a report by Spanish outlet Diario AS.

The system previously yielded positive results for Barça before Martinez got injured, but Xavi will once again have the opportunity to put it into practice with the Basque central defender’s return in sight.

With the games coming thick and fast, Xavi will be tasked with reintegrating defensive stability and solving the recurring lapses at the back.

Inigo Martinez has enjoyed a solid campaign thus far and will prove to be an adequate replacement for Cancelo, even though it will call for a systematic overhaul.

The three-at-the-back system was particularly helpful against Real Madrid in the first half of the previous Clasico.

And now in the Spanish Super Cup, Xavi will be aiming to utilize his back three’s strengths once more.

Barça will play Osasuna in the competition’s semifinals, and if they advance to the finals, they will play either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.