Manchester City enjoyed a 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach at the Puskas Arena on Wednesday and Joao Cancelo was one of many players who impressed. The 26-year-old had a hand in two goals on the night and was named Man of the Match for his contribution.
Cancelo whipped in a brilliant diagonal cross from deep that Bernardo Silva headed home for City’s first goal and whipped in another diagonal cross from deep for Silva to square to Gabriel Jesus for their second. Fans lauded his performance on social media.
https://twitter.com/Footballism16/status/1364787697802387458?s=20
João Cancelo was class
— Benny (@Xanny_Benny) February 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/ELGib10/status/1364703768583933958?s=20
Cancelo MOTM!! Another amazing performance!! 💙 #MCFC
— BLUE OASIS (@silvaoak12) February 24, 2021
Cancelo is where modern football is going, generalists instead of specialists. No fixed positions anymore, fantastic to see.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) February 24, 2021
I am unbelievably jealous of Man City fans being able to call Joao Cancelo one of their players, so so good
— Keane (@N17Keane) February 25, 2021
another dominate performance tonight, should be a nice easy stroll at the Etihad, Cancelo was brilliant again quality ball for the 1st.. glad to see Sergio back on the pitch as well 19 wins in a row, 26 unbeaten.. special special team this😍💙
— Brad (@SSBradMCFC_) February 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/strickyfootball/status/1364688945485914113?s=20
https://twitter.com/BerradiBenny/status/1364834401020960768?s=20
Pains me to agree but #Cancelo was brilliant #ManCity
— LegalAlien_TheOnlyUSAManInEssex (@gonymetz) February 25, 2021
Against Gladbach, Cancelo played for 90 minutes, had 119 touches, won one aerial duel, completed 93.5% of his 92 passes, had one shot, made two interceptions, whipped in three crosses with 66.6% finding a teammate, made two tackles, gave away one foul, had four successful dribbles and won one free-kick (WhoScored).
The Portuguese international has made 30 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and supplying four assists (Transfermarkt). He’s been outstanding as a utility player, ably operating at left-back and right-back while also being effective in central areas.
He was outstanding in Wednesday’s Champions League clash and has evolved into a brilliant player after struggling early into his City career.