Joao Cancelo set to start PSG clash on the bench

Bayern Munich defender Joao Cancelo is set to start Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain on the bench, according to Florian Plettenberg.

The versatile Portuguese defender joined the Bavarians from Manchester City in January after a fallout with former manager Pep Guardiola.

His Bayern career got off to a flying start as he set up two goals in his first four appearances. However, the 28-year-old has since fallen down the pecking order in Julian Nagelsmann’s side.

Cancelo is regarded as an out-and-out right-back who can also feature on the left side of a back four. But since Nagelsmann switched to a 3-5-2 set-up, the Portugal international has struggled to reclaim his starting spot.

He has not started a game for Bayern since their 1-0 victory over PSG in the reverse fixture at the Parc des Princes three weeks ago.

Cancelo made off-the-bench appearances in the subsequent two games against Borussia Monchengladbach and Union Berlin but was an unused substitute in the 2-1 victory over Stuttgart.

Josip Stanisic has been deployed as a right centre-back, with Kingsley Coman playing as a right wing-back, while Alphonso Davies covers the left flank.

Cancelo left Man City for a fresh start after seeing his first team minutes drop, but he faces the same problems in Germany.

The Portuguese defender will once again be on the substitute bench in what is set to be their biggest game of the season.

Nagelsmann plans to continue with the back three system that has seen them get their Bundesliga campaign back on track.

Bayern lead PSG 1-0 on aggregate after the tie in Paris, which saw former Parisian Kingsley Coman score the only goal to ensure victory for the six-time winners. 

Nagelsmann’s side will be looking to finish the job when they welcome PSG to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.