Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has explained why he’s chosen to start Joan Garcia for Thursday’s Copa del Rey tie with Racing Santander.
Flick hinted Garcia will start ahead of the match and has indeed handed him a place in his XI ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczęsny.
The Barcelona boss was quizzed on his team selection ahead of kick-off and revealed his reasons.
“Joan is our number one and today is an important game and that’s why he plays. Some players need rest but it’s an important game,”
he told Movistar.
“They are playing a dangerous direct game, you have to take that into account and be careful. The cup is always like that, it [shocks] happen sometimes but I hope not today.”
Flick has also named Lamine Yamal in his team as well as regulars such as Ferran Torres, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Koude.
Real Madrid became the latest La Liga club to be knocked out of the competition last night, and Flick will be eager to see his side overcome Racing and progress safely to the next round.
