Barcelona's Goalkeeper Dilemma: Joan Garcia's Fitness Concerns Ahead of Sevilla Match
Barcelona are sweating on Joan Garcia’s fitness after the goalkeeper underwent medical tests on Thursday morning, just two days before a demanding trip to Sevilla.
The 23-year-old felt pain in his right knee during Wednesday’s win over Racing Santander, an incident that came not from a save or a collision, but a slip. Chasing a loose ball behind his goal on a soaked surface and under heavy rain, Garcia lost his footing and twisted awkwardly.
He carried on until the break. Then the alarm bells rang.
Barcelona’s staff did not take any chances, withdrawing him at halftime as a precaution and sending on Wojciech Szczesny for the second half. The Pole saw out the game, and his role could now grow quickly.
Initial examinations at the training ground brought a measure of calm. Tests ruled out a serious problem, and crucially, the discomfort is in Garcia’s right knee – not the left leg that needed surgery last season. Inside the club, that distinction matters.
The official statement was brief but clear: Garcia has “mild discomfort in his right knee” and his availability “will depend on the evolution of the injury.” In other words, no long-term disaster, but no green light for Saturday either.
And the clock is ticking.
With only 48 hours between those tests and kick-off at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Hansi Flick stands in front of an awkward decision. The German coach has built a reputation for refusing to gamble on players just before international breaks. He does not like short-term fixes that become long-term problems.
So he now weighs his options. Stick with Szczesny, who came on cold against Racing and handled the job, or hand a long-awaited debut to Dominik Livakovic?
The Croatia No. 1 has been waiting patiently since his summer arrival, training in Blaugrana colours but yet to play a competitive minute. A high-stakes league match in Andalusia would be a bold stage for a first appearance, but not an unworthy one.
Barcelona will run a final fitness check in their last training session before heading south. If there is the slightest doubt, Garcia is expected to be held back, with the upcoming international break offering a three-week window for a full recovery.
Right now, Szczesny is the frontrunner to start after his mid-game introduction against Racing. Flick will not show his hand until Friday’s pre-match press conference.
That is when Barcelona will discover who guards their goal in Seville – and perhaps, who takes a step forward in the battle for the No. 1 shirt.
