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Fans were left disappointed with the inclusion of Eric Garcia in Barcelona's starting line-up to face Monaco in their UEFA Champions League opener on Thursday (September 19). The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Girona and will make his first start of the season against the Ligue 1 side.
Hansi Flick stuck to his usual 4-2-3-1 line-up to face Monaco, but there were some changes due to the unavailability of the likes of Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez.
Alejandro Balde, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, and Jules Kounde form the Barcelona backline, while Eric Garcia and Marc Casado will form the double-pivot. The attacking line-up features Raphinha, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal, with Robert Lewandowski playing as the striker. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the goalkeeper.
Culers were displeased by Hansi Flick's inclusion of Eric Garcia in the starting line-up and took to X to share their thoughts. One user said:
"loss incoming. who plays eric garcia. no creativity replacement of olmo."
"Why is Eric starting?," another fan asked.
"Eric starting," another Culer lamented.
"I'm worried about Eric in the middle... But let's see how it goes," an individual opined.
"What is Eric doing there," a fan questioned.
"Not sure where Eric is playing," another X user added.
"Is that Eric Garcia on my team line up," another Culer exclaimed.
After an impressive start in La Liga with five out of five wins, Barcelona will be looking to secure three crucial points against Monaco in their UCL opener.
"We can win the Champions League" - Barcelona coach Hansi Flick makes confident claim ahead of UCL opener against Monaco
In a pre-match press conference ahead of Barcelona's UEFA Champions League opener against Monaco, coach Hansi Flick made a confident claim about their chances in the competition. The German tactician said (via Fabrizio Romano):
"We can win the Champions League. Big clubs like Barça want to win titles and the Champions League is the best competition in the world. We’re ready to play against the best."
Speaking about the opponents, Flick praised Monaco for their style of play, and added (via Everything Barca):
"I know the Monaco coach very well, and they are doing a very good job. They work very well defensively, and we have to focus on this aspect. We have to go with confidence and create spaces."
La Blaugrana will return to La Liga to face Villarreal on September 22 after their UEFA Champions League clash.
