Ahead of the 2027/28 season, Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick has outlined the third goalkeeper position within the first team. Joan García will continue as the starting goalkeeper, backed up by Wojciech Szczęsny.
Iker Rodríguez, a promising goalkeeper from the academy, has been training with the first team during preseason but has yet to debut for Barça Atlètic. The club plans for him to gain most of his playing time at Barça Atlètic, where he will compete with Eder Aller and Max Bonfill.
Flick’s decision aims to avoid repeating the experience with Diego Kochen, who as the third-choice goalkeeper played few competitive matches, which affected his development.
Training with the first team allows Rodríguez to gain experience at a higher level while maintaining regular game time with Barça Atlètic. The coach highlights that this plan is designed to support the goalkeeper’s growth and continued progress within the club.
