‘He fixes everything‘ — Barcelona midfield star lauded by Eric Garcia after 2-0 win over Osasuna | OneFootball

FC Barcelona continued their strong La Liga run with another important victory yesterday as they overcame a stubborn Osasuna side.

A brace from Raphinha proved decisive in a 2–0 win that not only delivered three more points but also allowed the Catalans to open up a seven-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table.

One of the standout players on the night was Eric Garcia, who has recently renewed his contract with the club and was trusted by Hansi Flick to start the match in midfield before later dropping into the heart of defence.

His performance once again underlined his growing importance within the squad, particularly at a time when Barcelona are navigating a demanding run of fixtures across competitions.

Speaking after the match, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Eric reflected on how Osasuna set up in a way that closely mirrored Barcelona’s recent Champions League encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt, both in terms of defensive structure and the overall rhythm of the game.

“Osasuna were a similar opponent to Eintracht, very compact, looking to hit us on the counter. Maybe we lacked a bit of tempo in our ball circulation in the first half, but we’ve had a run of very demanding matches… There was very little space, but in the end we managed to get the job done.”

The 24-year-old defender also made it clear just how significant the result could be in the context of the title race, especially with several direct rivals still yet to play.

“It’s a very important victory because it gives us a calm Sunday. You increase the gap over your rivals — not Atlético, who also won — but yes over Villarreal and Madrid, who play on Sunday.”

Another key theme from Eric’s post-match comments was the value of adaptability within the squad. With several players, including himself and Gerard Martín, operating in different roles, competition for places remains high, and standards remain sharp.

“The versatility of several players gives the team a boost because of competition. That way we’re all fully focused, nobody switches off, and it helps the manager.”

Finally, Eric Garcia reserved special praise for Pedri, delivering a line that quickly captured attention and perfectly summed up the influence the Canarian midfielder continues to have on the team.

“When things get complicated in midfield, give the ball to Pedri, and he fixes everything.”

With his ability to contribute both in midfield and defence, Eric Garcia’s versatility is becoming a valuable asset for Barcelona as they enter a decisive phase of the season.

If performances like this continue, his role could prove crucial in sustaining the club’s momentum in both domestic and European competitions.