Joan Garcia to Start for Barcelona; Eric Garcia on Bench

Joan Garcia to Start for Barcelona Against Rayo Vallecano

Eric Garcia will be on the bench due to minor overload, missing the starting lineup

BlaugranaNews EditorialMarch 22, 20261 min read

So what

Joan Garcia's first call-up to Spain coincides with his first start for Barcelona, highlighting the young goalkeeper’s rising status. The team benefits from having match-ready players.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick confirmed that Joan Garcia will start in Sunday’s home match against Rayo Vallecano. Garcia’s injury from the Newcastle United game turned out to be minor, involving only some discomfort in his left calf.

In addition, Garcia received his first ever call-up to the Spanish national team, underscoring his readiness and the coaching staff's trust. He will play for Barcelona before joining the national squad on Monday.

Meanwhile, Eric Garcia, who skipped training on Saturday to manage his workload, will be a substitute. Flick remarked that Eric might not play to mitigate the risk of aggravating a hamstring overload sustained during the recent Champions League match against Newcastle.

This approach shows the team’s intent to manage players’ fitness carefully ahead of important fixtures, including the upcoming World Cup. Joan Garcia’s inclusion in the starting lineup is a significant milestone for the player and reflects the depth of Barcelona’s squad.