Hansi Flick has a new plan for key ‘joker’ player returning from injury

Hansi Flick made FC Barcelona’s incredible start to the season even more impressive despite several key players being sidelined.

Depletions in defense and midfield have not deterred the Catalan giants from overpowering European heavyweights. The most recent month of October serves as the most blatant example of Barça’s resurgence.

However, slowly but surely, the club is beginning to reclaim some of its missing assets, and the return of key players promises to bolster an already formidable squad.

Frenkie de Jong and Gavi made their long-awaited comebacks not too long ago. Now, Eric Garcia is also on the verge of returning to first-team dynamics following the Spaniard’s groin injury which he picked up during warm-up ahead of the clash with Sevilla.

A change in scenery

Naturally a center-back by trade, Garcia had largely chimed in as a defensive midfielder this season following the devastating ACL injury to Marc Bernal.

His strong defensive fundamentals and distributive abilities rendered him an adequate stopgap solution, but now circumstances compel Garcia to move back into a more familiar role.

According to SPORT expected to rejoin after the break, Hansi Flick plans to reinstate Eric Garcia as a center-back, where he excelled last season at Girona and initially made a name for himself at La Masia and Manchester City.

Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images

This decision barely bewilders, given Barcelona’s strong midfield depth with the return of key players and the impressive emergence of Marc Casado.

Additionally, the Blaugranes are facing a severe shortage of options in the center-back position.

Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi’s impenetrable duo has masked Barcelona’s lack of depth, but the Catalan giants have seldom enjoyed the luxury to offer them rest.

After all, defensive options are limited, with Sergi Dominguez as the only current backup for the pair, while Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are foreseen to return in December.

Garcia gives Barcelona a free pass

Following the brutal injury Pau Cubarsi sustained against Red Star Belgrade, which forced him off the pitch, the harsh reality of Barcelona’s limited center-back options became glaringly evident.

Although Sergi Dominguez is seen as the secondary option, his lack of experience at the top level and occasional nervousness in first-team appearances make him an unreliable option for consistent play.

The 19-year-old’s subpar performance against Osasuna, which contributed to the team’s only league defeat, highlighted the risks of relying on him in critical moments.

As such, Garcia’s return offers Barcelona the opportunity to rest two of their most crucial defensive assets.

He is the ideal embodiment of Hansi Flick’s prototype center-back—someone who can seamlessly play out from the back and operate effectively in a high defensive line.

If push comes to shove, Barcelona can also take a sigh of relief knowing he is adept enough to slot in midfield as well.