Joan García has been chosen by Barcelona and Hansi Flick to be the starting goalkeeper this season and for the seasons to come. The goalkeeper arrived at Camp Nou amid considerable controversy, as it should be remembered that Barcelona paid Espanyol the €25 million release clause in his contract. On the other side of Barcelona, this has not gone down well, and fans have not held back in criticizing him for what they consider a betrayal. It remains to be seen how the Espanyol fans will receive him when he visits the RCDE Stadium for the first time this season.
In addition, the arrival of Joan García caused quite a stir at Can Barça, because from the outset, the Barça management began to hint at their decision to sell Ter Stegen, who did not want to leave Barcelona. Added to this was the renewal of Szczesny, who extended his contract for two seasons with the clear intention of being the substitute, which was a clear message to the German and also to Iñaki Peña, who have to look for a new team. In the case of the captain, it will be more complicated, as he underwent surgery and will be out of action for several months, meaning he will remain at Barcelona until at least January.
Joan García: three goals in two games
Joan García surprised everyone by showing up at the Joan Gamper Sports Complex gym before the date Hansi Flick had set for the start of preseason. This obviously pleased the German coach, and now that the Asian tour has begun, the confidence the coach has in the former Espanyol player is clear to see. The new Barça goalkeeper has started in both games played so far – Vissel Kobe and FC Seoul–, where he was given Ter Stegen’s number 1 shirt.
Joan García has not had much work to do in these two friendlies, but he will not be able to leave on a high note. In his debut against Vissel Kobe, he conceded his first goal as a Barcelona goalkeeper. He made a great save, but on the second play, a shot caught him off guard and he had to pick the ball out of the back of the net. In South Korea, against FC Seoul, he conceded two goals. The first was a point-blank shot that he couldn’t stop, and he was equally helpless with the second, a powerful cross-shot that he couldn’t reach despite his best efforts.
Szczesny steps up
Although one of the conditions Joan García set for Barcelona to sign him was that he would be the starting goalkeeper, if he fails to offer guarantees between the posts, Hansi Flick could turn to Szczesny, as he did last season to the detriment of Iñaki Peña when Ter Stegen was injured. The Polish goalkeeper has played as many minutes as the Catalan this preseason, but has only conceded one goal so far. Against Vissel Kobe, he kept a clean sheet, while in the final stages of the match against FC Seoul, he was beaten by Jung Han-min in a one-on-one situation in which he could do little.
The debate over Barcelona’s goalkeeper is open, and Joan García currently has a big advantage over the rest, but even though Barça no longer has Ter Stegen, the Catalan still has the long shadow of the German, who for more than a decade has accustomed all Barça fans to his save after save. The former Espanyol player now faces the challenge of keeping a clean sheet and shutting out Daegu FC on Monday and also on Sunday 10th in the Joan Gamper Trophy against Cesc Fábregas‘ Como, in his presentation in front of his new fans.