- FC Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano by 1-0 at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday.
- Flick’s men’s performance was unflattering, but it was MVP Joan Garcia who saved the La Liga leaders’ blushes against 14th-placed opposition with four top quality saves.
- The Sallent native followed up his first senior Spain call up with a clean sheet and three points.
Though he failed to get his first European clean sheet against Newcastle in the Champions midweek, FC Barcelona goalkeeper followed up his first senior Spain call up with an MVP display in Sunday’s slim 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
Sitting in the Gol Sud behind the Grada d’Animació and the net, ReadBarcelona could read the room and see that Culers weren’t happy this afternoon.
Undoubtedly, this was Hansi Flick men’s worst performance at the Spotify Camp Nou since returning in November last year.
Granted it was Ronald Araujo’s header which sealed all three points and put Barça seven ahead of Real Madrid prior to their derby meeting with Atletico in the late night game at 21:00 local time.
Yet were it not for Garcia saving Blaugrana blushes with a string of top saves, the headlines would have been different.
Joan Garcia continues to be a difference maker for FC Barcelona
A fan favourite now as Pol explored earlier this week, Joan Garcia endeared himself to Culers further by keeping his 12th clean sheet in 23 La Liga outings this term.
On Sunday afternoon, with the Spring sun shining in the Catalan capital, Garcia was in top form. After worrying those in attendance and millions watching worldwide when seeming as though he might have to go off injured, the 24-year-old soldiered on and put in arguably his best performance so far in his current club’s green shotstopper shirt.
Somehow keeping Rayo out when they had Barça on the ropes in a 4v1 on a counter attack was the most impressive, but there were four saves in total at a rate of 1.44 goals prevented.
Garcia also made seven recoveries, two defensive contributions and 100% successful runs out. As good with his feet as he is with his hands, there were 23 passes too.
Joan Garcia received praise from Pedri and other FC Barcelona stars
At full time, it was no surprise to find Garcia showered with compliments by contemporaries such as Pedri.
“He’s incredible. He makes great saves and he’s also indispensable with his footwork. He’s an incredible boy, I consider him one of my best friends,” the number 8 beamed regarding his now fellow La Roja squad member.
“They made it difficult for us but we knew how to get through the game,” Garcia himself said. “It was important to get the three points. I’m very happy for my first call up with the senior team, I’m eager to play,” he said, before insisting that he is not carrying a knock and instead just a bit of discomfort.
Over at SPORT, the Catalan newspaper picked up on Josep Maria Minguella joking to DAZN: “That’s why there are four goalkeepers with Spain.”
It now remains to be seen if Luis de la Fuente, who has already called Joan Garcia one of the best goalkeepers in the world, takes a punt on him for friendlies against Serbia and Egypt.
He won’t be short of company, given six other Barça stars including Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi will be involved.
