After Gavi, Barca confirms losing another key player in the match against Real Madrid

FC Barcelona is still struggling with personnel issues as goalkeeper Joan Garcia joins the growing list of injured players.

The Catalan club confirmed that Garcia suffered a knee injury and will require surgery, expected to be sidelined for at least 4-6 weeks. This is another blow for coach Hansi Flick, just days after Raphinha and Gavi both encountered serious issues.

According to an official statement on Barcelona’s website, Joan Garcia has a torn meniscus in his left knee. An arthroscopic surgery will be performed by Dr. Joan Carles Monllau. The goalkeeper’s return to the field is estimated between 4 to 6 weeks depending on his recovery speed. “This injury forces Garcia to stop playing during a crucial phase of the season,” Barcelona stated.

Previously, Gavi also underwent knee surgery and is expected to be out for up to 5 months. The continuous loss of key players has put coach Hansi Flick in a difficult position regarding squad rotation across competitions.

Joan Garcia will miss important matches against Real Sociedad, PSG, and Girona, as well as the encounters with Olympiakos and Real Madrid (October 26) following the international break. These matches are critical for Barcelona’s ambitions in both La Liga and the Champions League.

With Garcia sidelined, Wojciech Szczesny is likely to return as the Blaugrana goalkeeper. Additionally, 18-year-old young keeper Eder Aller remains registered on the bench. Aller was included in the squad for the match against Oviedo and is expected to get more opportunities, especially with Diego Kochen currently representing the USA at the U20 World Cup in Chile.

The congested schedule combined with consecutive injuries presents a major challenge for Hansi Flick during the toughest period of the season. Losing Joan Garcia may not be a fatal blow, but it highlights the real test of Barca’s squad depth. Fans at Camp Nou hope Szczesny and young talents like Aller will seize the chance to help the team overcome this difficult phase.