Cancelo to get minutes for Barca in Copa del Rey
Hansi Flick has confirmed that Joao Cancelo is likely to make his second debut for Barcelona in its Copa del Rey tie against Racing Santander on Friday (AEDT).
Cancelo returned to Barca on loan from Al-Hilal for the rest of the season, having previously made 42 appearances for the club in the 2023-2024 campaign.
The Portuguese defender adds more depth to Flick's defence, with Jules Kounde the only other recognised right-back in the squad.
The German coach believes Cancelo can add another dimension to his side when attacking, especially against low blocks.
"The idea is for him to get some minutes," Flick said ahead of the tie.
"We had to decide what we wanted. We’re well covered at centre-back with Gerard Martin, Eric [Garcia] and [Pau] Cubarsi, and with [Ronald] Araujo back as well.
"Cancelo is a fantastic player, very professional and strong going forward. We need players with quality when opponents sit deep in the final third, and he's a good option for that."
Racing Santander is one of 15 teams to have played 100 or more games against Barca in all competitions, but the two sides have not met in an official fixture since 2012 – a 0-2 loss for Racing after a Lionel Messi brace.
Barca has won its past four away games in the Copa del Rey, scoring an average of three goals and keeping a clean sheet in each of those matches, its best run of away clean sheets in the competition's history.
"Racing Santander is a young and brave team and they play great football," Flick said on the team which is top of the second division of Spanish football.
"This the Copa del Rey and we must be prepared."
