Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia is set to be available for his side’s upcoming La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano after injuring himself in the recent 7-2 win over Newcastle United.
Earlier this Wednesday (March 18), Barcelona progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after beating Newcastle in the second leg of the round of 16. They netted four goals in the second half of their 7-2 victory, but also lost Garcia to a calf injury in the 82nd minute.
Now, the Blaugrana have confirmed that their €25 million summer signing will be fit to face Vallecano at Camp Nou on Sunday (March 22). An official statement read:
“Medical tests performed this Thursday on Joan Garcia have dismissed any possibility of injury. The goalkeeper will therefore be available for selection as normal by Hansi Flick for the next game.”
Garcia, who was replaced by Wojciech Szczesny in the recent win over Newcastle, has proved to be a brilliant signing for the Catalans this term. The 24-year-old has registered 14 clean sheets in 35 appearances across all competitions for his team, conceding 35 goals in the process.
The Espanyol academy graduate will be hoping to end the season on a good note as he is in contention to be named in Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Barcelona backed to succeed in Europe
Arsenal great Thierry Henry has lavished huge praise on his former club Barcelona following their resounding win over Newcastle United. The 48-year-old claimed (h/t Barca Universal):
“What happened isn’t a victory, it’s a global earthquake. (It was) a night that will go down in history. What a second half! A complete transformation, a different character, a lethal determination. This is the real Barcelona… when they want to, they can do anything. They’re an incredible team.”
Henry, who played for the Catalans from 2007 to 2010, added:
“You watch them play and think, ‘Wow, they look so convincing!’ Then you see them at home and it’s like… we’ve got Johan Cruyff’s dream team back! Newcastle completely collapsed in the face of this attacking onslaught. This is the face of Barcelona under Hansi Flick. We will overtake them on goal difference, come what may. Europe is beginning to feel the danger.”
Hansi Flick’s team will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals next month. After taking on Vallecano, they will first visit Atletico for a La Liga clash on April 4 before hosting Los Rojiblancos in the quarter-final first leg on April 8.
Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee
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