25-year-old Barcelona star avoids layoff as medical tests rule out injury | OneFootball

Last Monday’s derby against Girona was one of the more forgettable nights for FC Barcelona this season. The Catalan giants not only suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of their regional rivals, but also lost their position at the top of the table.

Concerns deepened in the 73rd minute when Eric Garcia requested to be substituted after feeling discomfort in the hamstrings of his left leg.

His visible grimace as he left the pitch and was replaced by Ronald Araujo immediately raised fears of a muscular injury that could have sidelined one of Barcelona’s most reliable players during a crucial phase of the season.

Those worries have now been put to rest. According to Mundo Deportivo, medical tests carried out on Tuesday at the club’s training facilities ruled out any injury. As a result, Barcelona will not issue an official medical statement, and the incident has been classified as no more than a scare.

The timing is a relief for both the 25-year-old player and the coaching staff. Eric Garcia will be able to rest over the next few days after Hansi Flick granted the squad time off due to the absence of midweek fixtures. The break also offers the team a chance to mentally reset following consecutive defeats against Atletico and Girona.

Despite being medically cleared, Eric Garcia will not be available for the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals against Atletico Madrid due to suspension. However, unless the discomfort resurfaces, Flick expects to have him available for the upcoming league matches against Levante and Villarreal, both scheduled at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Given that Eric Garcia has already accumulated 57 consecutive official appearances, the brief pause may even prove beneficial as FC Barcelona look to stabilize their season and regain consistency in the weeks ahead.