For a moment on Wednesday night, Joan García lying on the turf clutching his calf had the stadium holding its breath. But things are looking better now. He trained as normal and is expected to start against Rayo Vallecano.
Hansi Flick did not leave much room for doubt. “He can play tomorrow. I’m happy for him with the call-up to the national team.”
The goalkeeper was subbed off against Newcastle United, but it was a precaution more than anything.
The keeper was back at work on Friday at the gym, then
back with the group as if nothing had happened. That’s good news for the Catalans. Eleven clean sheets in the league have put him firmly in the conversation for the Zamora Trophy, and now Spain has come calling too, giving him a callup with the FIFA World Cup fast approaching.
The other situation never quite settled in the same way. Eric García is still dealing with discomfort in his hamstrings, the kind that tends to linger if pushed. He did not train with the group and the idea is to ease him back in. Flick kept it open-ended. “He will be on the bench, we’ll see. It’s possible he won’t play, but being there is already good news.”
Later, when asked about his absence from the national team, he added, “Maybe he’s not ready to play because of the overload. He has played fantastically. He must keep that level and we’ll see in the summer. It’s the coach’s decision, not mine.”
