Joan Garcia's Knee Concern: Barcelona Faces Goalkeeping Dilemma
Joan Garcia has handed Barcelona a scare, but not a crisis.
The goalkeeper underwent medical tests on Thursday morning after feeling pain in his right knee during Wednesday’s win over Racing Santander, Marca reported. The problem came from an innocuous-looking moment: he slipped on the soaked turf while chasing down a ball behind his goal in driving rain.
He played on until the break. Then the alarm bells rang.
Although he completed the first half, that awkward movement was enough for the medical staff to intervene at halftime. Garcia did not reappear after the interval, taken off as a precaution, with Wojciech Szczesny stepping in for the second 45 minutes.
Relief for Barça – with a catch
Initial scans at the training ground eased the worst fears. Barcelona’s doctors quickly ruled out a serious injury and confirmed the discomfort is in Garcia’s right knee, not the left leg that required surgery last season.
The club later issued a brief update: “First-team player Joan Garcia is experiencing mild discomfort in his right knee. His availability will depend on the evolution of the injury.”
So the big blow has been avoided. The big decision remains.
With Saturday’s trip to Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan looming and only 48 hours between the tests and kick-off, Hansi Flick finds himself walking a familiar tightrope. The German coach has a reputation for refusing to hurry players back, especially on the eve of an international break. He is not expected to gamble with his No. 1.
Szczesny or Livakovic?
If Garcia does not start, the choice is clear but far from simple.
Szczesny, who replaced him against Racing and saw out the win, is the frontrunner. He has the rhythm of that mid-game introduction and the trust that comes with experience at the highest level.
Waiting in the wings is Dominik Livakovic. Croatia’s first-choice goalkeeper arrived in the summer but is still chasing his first official minutes in Blaugrana colours. A debut at a hostile Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan would be a bold call, but not an unthinkable one.
Barcelona will run one last fitness test on Garcia during their final training session before travelling to Andalusia. If there is the slightest doubt, the calendar offers an obvious solution: rest now, recover over the three-week international break, and return fully fit.
For the moment, Szczesny stands as the favourite to start in Seville. Flick is expected to end the suspense on Friday in his pre-match press conference, with his choice in goal offering an early glimpse into how ruthlessly he will manage this squad through a long season.
