Joan Garcia hails Barcelona defense after Athletic Club win | OneFootball

FC Barcelona returned to Spotify Camp Nou for the new season last night as they hosted Athletic Club for their second game of their new La Liga campaign. The Blaugranes ended up winning this match 2-0, with goals from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez.

Although he did not get to participate in action much, the goalkeeper Joan Garcia was one of the players for whom this was a special night. This was particularly because his status as the best goalkeeper in La Liga last season was recognized before the start of the game.

Furthermore, as Mundo Deportivo has reported, the Spanish goalkeeper also talked to the media after the match. He appeared happy with the fact that his team did not allow the opposition to have even a single shot on target:

“I’d sign for not being shot at in every match.”

The Barcelona goalie also praised his rival goalkeeper in this match, Unai Simon:

Garcia went on to speak highly of his own team as well, especially the defense:

“Everyone had a great game. The defence, with this system that is complicated for them and requires them to stay focused throughout the match, was at a very high level.”

The youngster Xavi Espart put in a very good performance, and the goalkeeper also highlighted this:

“Xavi Espart is incredible, another player who comes through the academy. Given that I already feel a little like a veteran at 25, I try to help and support them.”

Despite being happy with the performances so far this season, Garcia recognized that his team would have to continue playing at this high level for the entire season:

“I see that everyone is very excited. We have a younger group than last year. We have a lot of energy and a great desire to do beautiful things with many players from the academy. We have a fairly complete squad and can manage the minutes. If we don’t push ourselves, we won’t achieve it. We’re on the right track, but we’ve only just begun.”

The goalie also protested the police action against Barcelona supporters in Elche:

“These are things you don’t like to see in the world of football. The club has made its decision and we stand with the club. We don’t have much influence over these things. But whatever the club has decided, we’re fully behind them.”

This is only his second season at Barcelona, but Joan Garcia is already speaking like a seasoned veteran. Hopefully, he will continue with this growth, both on and off the pitch, and turn out to be a real leader of the Barcelona dressing room in the years to come.