Injuries hit Barcelona hard, but only two players remain ever-present under Flick this season – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona put in a very decent and promising performance against Celta Vigo at Balaidos last weekend to secure a 4-2 win against the Galician side. A hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski and a goal from Lamine Yamal helped Flick’s men emerge victorious on the night.

Eric Garcia played at right back and delivered a very impressive performance. He replaced Jules Kounde, who had been suffering from lingering discomfort coming into the game, and the Frenchman sat out the fixture completely.

With Kounde’s exclusion, according to SPORT, only two Barcelona players have featured in all 16 games under Hansi Flick so far this season: Marcus Rashford and Eric Garcia.

Both players have started 13 of the 16 games, with the Englishman accumulating six goals and eight assists during this period. Eric, on the other hand, has been the definition of versatility, playing everywhere across the back line.

Incidentally, both players came into this 2025/26 season expecting to be squad or rotational options with the occasional starts. However, incessant injuries, coupled with their excellent form, have led to them becoming indispensable.

Eric, in particular, has shown new levels to his game. The Spanish defender has looked like a leader of the back line, irrespective of where he plays. He has looked most comfortable at right back, which is an option worth considering for Flick going forward.

Rashford, meanwhile, is likely to see his starts diminish with the return of Raphinha. Even so, he should still get minutes in every game, either off the bench or with the occasional start as a winger or a number nine. Let us hope both players can sustain this excellent form through the course of the season.