Marcus Rashford wasn’t the only Barcelona player to make the headlines after Thursday’s Champions League win over Newcastle in the League Phase opener at St. James’ Park: Joan Garcia made his European debut and had a fantastic night in the Barça goal, and he caught the eye of a club legend.
Ivan Rakitic spoke in an interview on Friday about Barça’s win in Newcastle and was asked about the new goalkeeper and the impact he had in the victory, and was full of praise for Garcia and says he could be a difference-maker
for the Blaugrana in their new European journey.
“Incredible, incredible. That’s why they signed him. We need a goalkeeper who can come alive in difficult times. We have him, and he’s very important.”
Source: COPE via Mundo Deportivo
Rakitic was there the last time Barça won the Champions League and he knows exactly what it feels like to have a young goalkeeper make a giant impact in Europe in his first season for the Blaugrana: Marc-André ter Stegen was very important in Barça’s run to their last European title, and his shot-stopping and poise on the ball then are very similar to what Garcia has shown so far in his Barça career.
The €25 million the club paid for his services look like an absolute steal with every stellar performance from Garcia, and every Champions League winner must have a great goalkeeper to deal with the best attacking players in the world.
It’s still early, but it does look more and more clear that Barça have a great goalkeeper in their ranks.
