“Barça’s most outstanding player was the goalkeeper,” Villarreal coach Marcelino García said after Barça’s victory at La Cerámica. He focused on Joan García’s performance and also highlighted what it says about his team. The Sallent goalkeeper secured Barcelona’s goal and resolved the defensive gaps that emerged with authority. With his vigilance, always attentive and anticipating the advanced defense of Hansi Flick’s system, his good footwork and his five saves, he shone against Villarreal and protected the three points that keep Barça leading the League before the Christmas break, four points ahead of second-placed Madrid.
“I try to stop the ones that come at me. There are days when I can do it, and others I can’t. Today, fortunately, we managed to keep a clean sheet and I’m very happy,” the goalkeeper shared after the match. His first valuable intervention took place in the 37th minute, while the scoreboard still indicated 0-1; In the second half, he was also decisive with two consecutive valid saves, separated by only one minute. “Today he saved us several times. He is a very important player for us,” Flick showed with satisfaction.
This season, in which he has already stood out in other matches such as against Alavés, he has a save percentage of 77% and 3.6 goals avoided. Meetings like Sunday’s – the third in a row with a clean sheet out of the seven that Barça have achieved this season, all with Joan between the sticks, with the exception of the Copa del Rey – prove Barcelona right about his signing this summer. And to Flick, for his property.
“Joan García is number one. I said it clearly,” reiterated the German coach when asked about the goalkeeper hierarchy, especially after the return of Marc-André ter Stegen. “He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he is having a spectacular moment,” congratulated the German de Sallent. “Every footballer likes to feel the confidence of the coach and his teammates. Even if he already felt it before (Flick) made these statements,” Joan said. Since Barça paid their 25 million euro break clause to Espanyol this summer and renewed Wojciech Szczesny until 2027, this was the intention. With the blue and white team last season he shone, being the goalkeeper with the most saves in the League (146 in 38 games) and the second of the five major leagues, with a save rate that amounted to 3.84 and with a very high avoided goal rate, 7.5.
These first months since his arrival have been “very positive”, both on a personal and collective level, Joan en la Cerámica said. He showed immediate performance, and there was only one setback that interrupted his presence between the sticks: his injury. “It’s true that I was unlucky to be injured for a few months, but I feel very happy and comfortable from the start,” he added.
In total, he was out for 52 days and missed nine matches for Barca due to a torn medial meniscus in his left knee which forced him to undergo surgery. That’s when Szczesny had to reappear, even with Ter Stegen injured. The Pole, more comfortable stuck in the locker room than under the sticks, until then fulfilled the objective of being a sort of mentor for Joan. “I know what my role is this season, and for me, my biggest success will be that Joan García has a good and successful season. There is no rivalry between us. With all the pressure that comes from playing for a club like Barcelona, I don’t think he also needs the pressure of a veteran who tries to compete from behind”, confessed ‘Tek’ to Mundo Deportivo. It is therefore not surprising that the Pole, who admits to having broken the Barcelona body fat record, celebrated Joan’s discharge for medical reasons.
With him, tranquility returned to the goal: Szczesny, who made only 59% saves and 0.22 goals avoided, conceded 17 goals in nine games. More than the Catalan goalkeeper in more duels: 14 goals in 15 matches. Joan returned, and with a little more time Ter Stegen too. Recovered from the lumbar injury for which he underwent surgery this summer and with Joan rested, Flick finally decided to place his compatriot in the starting XI against Guadalajara in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. “It’s only for this match. Marc is the captain of the team and has given a lot to this club. He is in good shape and can show that he is ready,” explained Flick, clarifying his stance on the German’s situation. “The return of Marc is very important for the team and the locker room,” shared Joan, who admitted to being a “sponge” with her two goalkeeper colleagues.
Joan García will have to show why he is the number once again against his old team, Espanyol, at his old home, RCDE Stadium. His former supporters will be waiting for him there on January 3 in a match declared high risk. “Now we have a few weeks to rest and recharge our batteries. Then we will reflect. It’s always special to play against a team you played for. I will try to do my best,” Joan said. In the meantime, Barcelona rests peacefully at the top of the table, with the security and certainty that in case of a mistake, Joan García is there.
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