Raphinha had put Barca 1-0 up on the night and 4-2 up on aggregate in the 12th minute. However, the game took a turn when Ousmane Dembele equalised and Vitinha scored a second goal. Joao Cancelo’s foul on Dembele allowed Kylian Mbappe to score the first of his two decisive goals.
Following the game, Cancelo acknowledged the difficulties he has faced in the 2023/24 season and expressed concerns about the loss in the Champions League, attributing it to a challenging week. Barca manager Xavi is set to step down at the end of the season. Cancelo accepted criticism of his performances but urged others not to speak about his family.
He revealed that losing affects him personally and makes it hard for him to sleep. The unexpected loss and the feeling that they could have won with a full team left him struggling to come to terms with the defeat. Despite the setback, he emphasized the need to keep pushing forward.
This season, Cancelo has made 35 appearances for Barca, starting nine out of their 10 Champions League matches. He added that it’s essential for the team and himself to continue working hard.