Joan Garcia can’t enjoy life at FC Barcelona because of how exposed he is by his defence according to Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeping legend Santi Canizares, who made such a remark via Cadena COPE.
Joining from bitter crosstown rivals Espanyol after his paltry $29.3 million (€25 million) release clause was activated by the Catalans last summer, Garcia has been a roaring success at the Spotify Camp Nou thus far.
After returning from an injury earlier in the season, a string of clean sheets and world class saves have had much to do with Barca recovering from a loss in El Clasico against Real Madrid which he wasn’t available for, that also left Hansi Flick’s men five points off the chase, to top La Liga once more.
Over the past few days, however, it must be noted that Garcia was criticized for an uncharacteristic, erratic performance in the 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad while leaking goals in a 4-2 win over Slavia Prague on Wednesday in the Champions League didn’t paint him in the best of lights either.
According to Canizares, however, it is the Barca back line that is putting the World Cup hopeful at a disadvantage as we head into the business end of the current campaign.
FC Barcelona’s defenders aren’t helping Garcia
Commenting on Cadena COPE, Canizares, who is a hugely popular pundit in Spain, said that Garcia “does not have a defense that protects him” or that “generates confidence”.
“They leave him very exposed during all the games and that makes it extremely difficult for him to keep a clean sheet,” the retired former shotstopper added.
“What a goalkeeper likes is to go home, keep a clean sheet and see how the team helps you. Without that support, it is normal for confidence to be undermined. He doesn’t have a team where a goalkeeper can enjoy himself in some way.”
Canizares suggested that Garcia could have noticed “something out of place” across the back line compared to previous outings, and it is now up to head coach Hansi Flick to rectify what that might be amid Pau Cubarsi receiving criticism in some quarters for not maintaining the same high standards as seen in his first couple of seasons.
Most probably with Garcia and Cubarsi, but not the injured Pedri, FC Barcelona returns to action on Sunday against Real Oviedo in La Liga.
