Barcelona star credits La Liga manager for current success – ‘Trusted me when a lot of people didn’t’ | OneFootball

FC Barcelona return to action this Saturday after the international break as they take on local rivals Girona at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Having lost back-to-back matches before the break, against PSG and Sevilla, Barcelona will be eager to bounce back strongly and get their campaign back on track without any more slip-ups.

The game against Girona will thus be an important one for the team, while it will also be special for a certain Eric Garcia.

After all, it was during his loan spell with Girona, during the 2023/24 season, that the 24-year-old star rediscovered his form after having endured a tough run at Barça.

Garcia grateful to Girona, Michel for his success

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SPORT, Garcia admitted that the match against Girona means a lot to him.

“Yes [it is still a special match], I had an incredible year there. We had a season that will go down in history, qualifying Girona for the Champions League. I think we had an incredible team, also on a human level,” said Garcia.

“Michel helped me a lot in my career. I tell him that often and I wish them all the best.”

Eric is grateful to Girona boss Michel. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Further talking about what Michel meant to him and how the Girona boss extracted the best out of him, the Barcelona defender noted:

“Well, a bit of the confidence I needed and that every player needs. He also opened the door for me to play a bit more out wide, to be able to play in different positions.

“Until then, I was a bit reluctant to leave my comfort zone, and he kind of tricked me. One day in Cadiz, he said, ‘You’re only going to play here today,’ and I ended up playing there the whole season. I ended up believing it, and it worked out really well.”

Garcia did not hesitate to credit Michel for his current success, saying: “A big part of it is because of him, and I told him so at the time.

“He trusted me when maybe a lot of people didn’t, and he gave me that confidence, that opportunity to keep growing and improving. He’s a very strict coach; he shows you a lot of video footage to help you improve, and I think that was very important for me.”

On rejecting Girona return

During the interview, Garcia also touched upon the possibility that arose for him to return to Girona in the middle of the last season and how Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick stopped the exit.

Garcia could have returned to Girona in January. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“Last year, there was a time when I wasn’t getting much playing time. Obviously, I had the option of returning to Girona, I knew Michel was there. In the end, I think I made the right decision,” acknowledged Garcia.

Talking about when Flick stepped in and how he convinced him, the former Manchester City ace added:

“Yes, I think the turning point was the Benfica game, because the transfer window was still open. I think that game changed everything a bit.

“It’s true that I was getting more playing time in those matches. You come on against Benfica, score the goal, the team comes back.

“There are some matches that, for some reason, change your situation a bit, and from then on, I think I knew how to take advantage of my opportunities and earn the manager’s trust.”

Now a key member of Flick’s team, Eric is in talks to sign a new contract with Barcelona, given his current one expires at the end of the season.