Barcelona Face Sevilla Without Joan Garcia as Iker Rodriguez Steps Up
The final training session before a big away day in Seville brought bad news for Barcelona. Joan Garcia was missing. And he will not travel.
The first-choice goalkeeper sat out Friday’s workout ahead of Saturday’s La Liga clash with Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that he has been ruled out of the game.
Garcia came off at half-time against Racing Santander after feeling discomfort in his right knee. The problem is not viewed as serious, but with the season still young and Barcelona flying, the club has decided not to gamble with their No. 1.
His name now joins Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji on the injury list. As things stand, those three are expected to be the only absentees for Hansi Flick’s league leaders in Andalusia.
Iker Rodriguez promoted to senior squad
Garcia’s absence has opened the door for one of La Masia’s brightest young goalkeepers.
Hansi Flick has called up 18-year-old Iker Rodriguez from Barça Atletic to work with the first team and travel as third-choice keeper. The teenager will sit behind the likely starter Wojciech Szczesny and Dominik Livakovic in the pecking order, but his presence is another clear sign of how highly the club rates him.
Rodriguez already spent a large chunk of pre-season under Flick, training and playing with the senior group. Back with Barça Atletic, he has started their first two league fixtures of the campaign and delivered in both, keeping clean sheets against Naxara and Logrones B.
Now he gets the next step: a first-team matchday squad spot at one of the most intimidating grounds in Spain.
Hamza Abdelkarim also stayed with the senior group in training, reinforcing his growing status around the first team. Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu, however, was not involved. The teenage summer signing is still waiting for his first appearance in a senior squad, and that wait looks set to stretch at least one more weekend.
Perfect start on the line in Seville
Barcelona travel to the Sanchez-Pizjuan with momentum crackling through the squad. Six games, six wins, top of La Liga on their own. Flick’s side have not just been winning; they have been punishing teams, piling on the goals and smothering opponents with wave after wave of attacking pressure.
Sevilla, though, are no soft touch. They sit fifth after taking four wins from their opening six league matches and will fancy their chances of testing a Barcelona side now without their first-choice goalkeeper.
For Flick, the task is clear: protect the perfect record, manage the absences, and walk into the international break still setting the pace at the summit.
