Barcelona dealt blow as key player picks up knock during warm up ahead of Sevilla clash

Barcelona have been dealt a blow as Eric Garcia, who was named in their starting lineup to face Sevilla, picked up a knock during the warm-up. The Blaugrana are set to host Los Nervios at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for their LaLiga clash today (October 20).

Hansi Flick had gone for a midfield three that includes Pedri, Marc Casado, and Eric Garcia. However, Garcia suffered what has been reported as a groin injury (via Barca Blaugranes). While his teammates continued their warm-ups, the 23-year-old had to leave the pitch alongside physio Dr Ricard Pruna.

This led to a quick decision by Hansi Flick to include Ansu Fati in their starting lineup for the Sevilla match. While the winger is hardly a like-for-like replacement, the manager wasn't too intent on opting for Frenkie de Jong, who has struggled with a long-term injury.

The manager had revealed that De Jong had endured a small setback during training, and was feeling discomfort. He told the press ahead of the game (via Barca Blaugranes):

“With Frenkie we will wait until tomorrow to see how he is. In principle, he was training very well these days and I was counting on him as a starter, but now we will wait until tomorrow.

“Yesterday he finished with discomfort and today he did the first part of the training with the group, but then he worked in isolation.”

Without Frenkie de Jong as a slot-in option for Eric Garcia, the manager opted to use Ansu Fati, with the winger on the left flank. Raphinha will take the attacking midfield slot, leaving Marc Casado and Pedri in the holding midfield.

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Hansi Flick speaks about Barcelona's goalkeeping situation

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has spoken about the goalkeeping situation at the club, following their decision to sign Wojciech Szczesny on a free transfer. The former Juventus goalkeeper decided to come out of retirement to join the Blaugrana, following an injury to first-team goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

There have been questions around when the new signing will take to the pitch for Barcelona. However, he will have to earn his spot in the starting lineup, with Hansi Flick opting for Inaki Pena against Sevilla, who is the second-choice goalkeeper. The manager said to the press (via Barca Blaugranes):

“I am happy that Szczesny said he is ready, but Inaki will play. There is no reason to change. My idea is not to distribute goalkeepers in competitions. Inaki will play on Sunday and if everything goes well, also on Wednesday.”

Szczesny will hope he can work hard and convince the Barcelona manager to play him, having made a U-turn on his decision to retire from football.