Barcelona avoid major blow as 24-year-old star overcomes injury scare vs Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Barcelona were handed a worrying moment during their ongoing La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano when Joan Garcia sparked concern with a sudden physical issue.

The goalkeeper had already made his presence felt early in the game, producing a crucial point-blank save to keep his side level. 

However, shortly after that intervention, he appeared uncomfortable and signalled an issue with his left calf, immediately raising alarms among the coaching staff and fans alike.

Problem for Barcelona?

The situation was particularly concerning given that it was the same area that had troubled him during the recent UEFA Champions League clash against Newcastle United. 

As a result, the match was briefly halted while the goalkeeper assessed the problem, with initial fears pointing towards a possible recurrence of the previous issue.

Despite the concern, Joan Garcia made it clear that he was willing to continue. He remained on the pitch, signalling to the bench that he could carry on, even though the discomfort was evident. 

Still, the episode was enough to trigger immediate action from Hansi Flick. The Barcelona manager reacted quickly, instructing Wojciech Szczesny to begin warming up as a precaution. 

The Polish goalkeeper was prepared to enter the match if needed, having already featured briefly in the previous Champions League encounter.

In the end, however, the substitution was not required. Joan Garcia’s reassurance allowed Flick to keep him on the field, and Szczęsny remained on the bench, ready but ultimately unused.

Even so, the incident has highlighted a potential problem regarding Garcia’s fitness. Earlier, while tests ruled out any serious injury, the goalkeeper is still experiencing some discomfort in his calf, which will need to be carefully monitored in the coming days.

The timing of this scare is particularly delicate, as Garcia has been called up to the Spanish national team for the first time. 

The opportunity to join the senior squad is a major step for the 24-year-old, but for that to happen, he needs to be physically fit.