Why Hansi Flick should consider resting €30 million-rated Barcelona player against Racing Santander | OneFootball

The 2025-26 season has not been all smooth for FC Barcelona, but things have been getting better for the Blaugrana team since the last few weeks. The return of some injured players, like Joan Garcia, Raphinha, and Pedri, etc., has been a significant factor in this turnaround.

However, the defense still remains stretched, as Hansi Flick has been unable to count on several players for his backline in recent weeks, including Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen.

Jules Kounde has also been playing a lot, but Joao Cancelo’s arrival would help Flick reduce the Frenchman’s workload to some extent amid his inconsistent form.

Another player who has stood out this season is Eric Garcia. The €30 million-rated academy graduate has played in all 28 of Barcelona’s matches, starting 26 of them.

More often deployed as a defensive midfielder than as a center-back, and occasionally filling in at right-back, Garcia has become indispensable for the team.

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

His dedication has been remarkable, playing even after suffering a fractured nasal septum in Bruges, returning three days later to feature in Vigo while wearing the protective mask that has become synonymous with him.

Given his extraordinary minutes this season, Mundo Deportivo suggests that tonight’s Copa del Rey clash against Racing Santander is an ideal opportunity to rest Garcia.

Rotating the squad is essential to ensure players remain fresh for the second half of the season. Last year, overuse of key players ultimately affected performance, and this time, careful management could make a decisive difference.

With the squad now healthier and Cancelo available, Flick has more flexibility to rotate players, especially Kounde, who has played almost every match as a full-back.

Resting the key players in matches against lower-division opponents not only helps manage fatigue but also gives younger talents a chance to gain valuable experience, a strategy that could prove important as Barcelona looks to maintain momentum in multiple competitions.