Barcelona received timely positive news on the injury front after a hard-fought victory over Celta Vigo.
Concerns surrounding Joao Cancelo have eased, with initial concerns proving to be far less serious than expected, according to Mundo Deportivo.
advertise
The Portuguese full-back left the game early, immediately causing concern among fans and staff.
Cancelo was forced off the field just 23 minutes into the game with discomfort in his right thigh, sparking concerns about a possible muscle injury at a crucial stage of the season.
How did it happen?
The incident occurred during a routine defensive operation.
Cancelo appeared to be injured while passing back to goalkeeper Joan Garcia and fell to the ground.
Paramedics rushed to his aid and it was clear he was struggling to maintain his balance and put his weight on his legs.
Cancelo was replaced as soon as the game started. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
advertise
The urgency of the situation prompted Hansi Flick to make an immediate substitution.
With little time to prepare, Alejandro Balde was immediately brought on, entering the pitch without a proper warm-up as Cancelo came off.
Initially, the signs didn’t look encouraging as the defender was limping and clutching the upper part of his right knee, which only heightened concerns about a potential absence.
Nothing serious
According to media reports, Cancelo’s movements improved significantly when he walked away and communicated with Flick.
When he arrived in the locker room, he appeared to be walking normally, which was a strong indication that the problem was not as serious as initially feared.
advertise
Subsequent evaluation has now confirmed that the problem was simply an impact and not a muscle tear or structural damage.
This means Cancelo is expected to feature in Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga match against Getafe, providing a huge boost to the team’s title bid.
