Barcelona Lose Joan Garcia for Sevilla Trip as Iker Rodriguez Steps Up

FC Barcelona boarded the plane to Seville without their first-choice goalkeeper.

Joan Garcia, who came off at half-time against Racing Santander with pain in his right knee, missed the club’s final training session before Saturday’s La Liga clash at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan and has been ruled out of the game, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

The problem is not considered serious, but with the season still young and Barcelona flying, the staff have chosen caution over risk. Garcia now joins Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji on the injury list, and the trio are expected to be the only absentees for the trip to face Sevilla.

Iker Rodriguez promoted again

Garcia’s absence opened a door that Iker Rodriguez already knew well.

Hansi Flick has called up the 18-year-old Barça Atletic goalkeeper to work with the senior squad and travel as third-choice keeper. The expectation is clear: Wojciech Szczesny starts, Dominik Livakovic backs him up, and Rodriguez completes the goalkeeping group.

This is no token gesture. Rodriguez spent a large chunk of pre-season under Flick, leaving a strong impression on the staff. Inside the club, they rate him highly.

He has started Barça Atletic’s first two league matches this season and has yet to concede, recording clean sheets against Naxara and Logrones B. Now he swaps those grounds for the cauldron of the Sanchez-Pizjuan, offering Flick extra insurance between the posts.

Hamza Abdelkarim also continued to train with the first team in the build-up, while Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu was absent. The teenage summer signing is still waiting for his first appearance in a senior matchday squad, and that wait looks set to stretch beyond this weekend.

Perfect start on the line in Seville

Barcelona arrive in Andalusia with a flawless record and a target on their backs.

Six games, six wins. Top of La Liga on their own. Flick’s side have not just been winning; they have been overpowering teams, pouring forward and racking up goals with a relentlessness that has quickly become their early-season calling card.

Sevilla, though, are no soft landing. Sitting fifth after four wins from their opening six league fixtures, they represent one of the sternest domestic tests Barcelona have faced so far.

The Sanchez-Pizjuan will demand resilience as much as flair. Garcia will watch from afar, Rodriguez will wait for his chance, and Barcelona will try to protect their perfect record one more time before the squad scatters for international duty.