Barcelona Faces Sevilla Without Joan Garcia as Iker Rodriguez Steps Up
FC Barcelona boarded their final training session before facing Sevilla with one glaring absence: Joan Garcia was nowhere to be seen.
The first-choice goalkeeper has been ruled out of Saturday’s La Liga clash at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan after feeling discomfort in his right knee during the win over Racing Santander, where he was withdrawn at half-time. The club do not consider the problem serious, but with the season barely underway and the schedule already tightening, Barça have decided not to gamble.
Garcia now joins Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji on the injury list. As things stand, those three are expected to be the only absentees for the trip to Andalusia.
Iker Rodriguez promoted again
Garcia’s setback has opened the door for another step up for Iker Rodriguez. Hansi Flick called the 18-year-old Barça Atletic goalkeeper into first-team training and plans to include him in the matchday squad as the third keeper.
The pecking order is clear: Wojciech Szczesny is expected to start, with Dominik Livakovic as his deputy. Rodriguez will be the safety net behind them, but his presence around the senior group underlines how highly he is regarded at the club.
The youngster spent a large chunk of pre-season under Flick, impressing enough to stay firmly on the radar. Since the competitive action began, he has started Barça Atletic’s first two league matches, keeping clean sheets against Naxara and Logrones B. Two games, two shutouts. The reward is another taste of the top level, this time in one of Spain’s most intimidating arenas.
Hamza Abdelkarim also continued to work with the first team in training, while Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu was absent. The teenage summer signing is still waiting for his first involvement in a senior matchday squad, and that wait looks set to stretch beyond this weekend.
Perfect start on the line in Seville
Barcelona travel to Seville protecting a flawless league record. Six games, six wins, and a place alone at the top of the La Liga table. Flick’s side have not just been efficient; they have been ruthless in front of goal, repeatedly overpowering opponents with waves of attacking pressure.
Sevilla, though, are not in the mood to be a backdrop. They sit fifth after winning four of their opening six league fixtures and will view the visit of the leaders as a chance to test themselves against the early standard-setters.
Barça arrive without their main goalkeeper but with their momentum intact and a teenage shot-stopper getting another taste of the big time. The question now is simple: can Flick’s team keep that perfect run alive in one of the league’s toughest stadiums before they scatter for international duty?
