Barcelona defender seen training with a mask after suffering nasal fracture – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona took a midweek trip to Belgium and played out a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge. It was an entertaining game for neutral observers.

Both Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres scored for Barcelona on the night, which ended with Eric Garcia suffering a nasal fracture and leaving the field bleeding.

The Spaniard is a doubt for this weekend’s game against Celta Vigo, as Hansi Flick could choose to rest him. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona defender was seen training with a protective mask on Friday.

The 24-year-old may have been testing the sensations as he gauges whether he can play a part against Vigo. Eric has been a regular starter for Barcelona so far this season.

As the first-choice partner to Pau Cubarsi, Flick has placed a lot of trust in a player once assumed not good enough to lead the back line for a club of Barcelona’s stature.

Against Vigo, Flick could choose to partner Cubarsi with Araujo and leave Eric on the bench. With the international break immediately after, that would allow the defender to get some rest.

The 24-year-old is not part of Luis de la Fuente’s plans for the national team. Barcelona can manage one game without Eric, and it makes sense not to take risks.

It remains to be seen whether Flick gives Eric a run out with the mask this weekend or chooses to play it safe. Regardless of what happens, let us hope he is safe and sound at the end of it.