Hansi Flick might look to rest Barcelona first-team regular against Getafe despite injury recovery
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is considering resting goalkeeper Joan Garcia for the upcoming La Liga match against Getafe despite his recovery from a knee injury. The decision is driven by a congested fixture list that includes high-stakes matches against PSG and Real Madrid.
Why it matters
Illustrates the strategic management of player health in professional football to prevent long-term injury during intense schedules.
Barcelona may have Joan Garcia back for the La Liga meeting with Getafe, but Hansi Flick has a bigger decision to make than just putting him back into the starting XI.
The 25-year-old has recovered from the knee problem that kept him out of Barcelona's final matches before the international break and is expected to be available when Getafe visit the Spotify Camp Nou on October 10.
However, according to SPORT , Flick could decide against immediately restoring Garcia to the starting XI.
This is because Barcelona's demanding run of fixtures means protecting the goalkeeper could be more important than rushing him back.
Garcia suffered the injury shortly before half-time against Racing Santander after slipping awkwardly.
Joan Garcia was injured against Racing Club. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
He subsequently missed the meeting with Sevilla and was not included in Spain's squad during the international break.
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