Barcelona have received positive news ahead of their return to La Liga, with Eric Garcia set to be available for the meeting with Getafe after concerns over his fitness forced him to leave the Spain camp.
According to AS, the defender’s knee discomfort has proved to be minor, and there is no indication of a significant injury.
Notably, Garcia has been training normally with Barcelona since Monday, although he has been wearing a protective face mask.
His availability is particularly useful for Hansi Flick, who has increasingly relied on the versatile defender at right-back while Jules Kounde appears to have lost his place.
Eric Garcia’s Spain withdrawal was a precaution
Garcia was initially part of Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad during the international break but was sent back to Barcelona after experiencing discomfort in his left knee.
Eric Garcia was injured while in national team duty. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Spanish federation opted not to take any unnecessary chances after medical tests, with Garcia’s withdrawal ultimately being treated as a precaution rather than a response to a serious injury.
De la Fuente later explained why Spain chose not to keep the Barcelona defender with the squad.
“If we’d been in the knockout stages, he would have stayed.
“We’d all have taken that risk. He wouldn’t have been available for tomorrow’s match, and as for the third match, he might or might not have been.
“It wasn’t worth taking that risk. Under no circumstances were we going to seek a confrontation with the player,” said the World Cup-winning coach.
Eric Garcia will be available against Getafe. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
The decision allowed Garcia to return to Barcelona and focus on recovering without the pressure of an international schedule.
Eric Garcia will be available against Getafe
The fact that Garcia has trained without problems since Monday has provided Barcelona with the reassurance they needed.
Barring an unexpected setback, he will be part of Flick’s plans for Getafe, which is an important boost given the uncertainty surrounding other members of the squad.
Sure, Garcia’s return does not necessarily guarantee him a place in the starting XI, given Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart’s current form, but it gives Flick the option to use him if required.
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