Joan García is a human highlight reel.
Beyond that, he is the reason Barcelona can win games even when they’re not at their best. That’s what a world class goalkeeper can do for you.
Espanyol are one of the best teams in Spain at the moment, and you could see why on Saturday. They are organized and tough to break down, and have an incredible confidence about them under Manolo González.
Over the summer, Barcelona poached their goalkeeper, and the cross town rivals somehow have only gotten better.
The
fans at Cornellà were rabid, as they always are when the Blaugrana visit. The question on the night was how Joan García would deal with the pressure of coming back to his old stomping ground with the mission of keeping his team’s cushion at the top of the table in Spain.
It wasn’t an easy match, and perhaps Espanyol deserved something from it. Joan García, in the end, was the difference maker, and gave his team multiple chances to stay alive, while ultimately finding the breakthrough to win the game.
Seeing him make those incredible saves is worth the price of admission. Did you ever think, being a Barcelona fan, that the goalkeeper of all people would be the one making the most exciting plays on the field?
There is no panic in that man. He stays calm, even when faced with the most unlikely of circumstances, squares up the attacking player in front of him, and somehow finds a way, time and time again, to come out on top.
One versus one with the keeper to beat? No so fast.
A point blank header? Easy work.
One of your own defenders getting in the way? Sayonara Gerard Martín.
That is exactly how you want to start the new year if you’re Barcelona. We’re at the point in the season where the stakes are high, but the team can rest easier knowing they have one of the best shot stoppers in the world.
With that fact anchoring you, it comes down to the goal scorers doing their job.
Hansi Flick did well to make the changes he made in the second half. Dani Olmo and Fermín López were the men for the job on the night, and made it count when finally, in the dying moments of the game, their number was called.
These are the types of games that, when you look back on it, win you trophies.
I have my concerns about Barcelona this season. They are an imperfect team, and when it comes down to it, especially in cup competitions, I worry they could be their own worst enemies.
Seeing Joan García perform at this level, however, makes me believe that they could very well make it through even on the toughest of nights.
If we feel this way about him as fans, imagine what it does for the confidence of the players.
Instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop when they aren’t playing well, they know they can keep battling until the breakthrough moment appears.
Joan García has arrived, and that should give Barcelona hope heading into the new year that good things are around the corner.
