There is nothing like a last-minute winner in football, who at the same time wrapping joy and despair was much of the former present in Son Moix on Saturday, when Vedat Muriqi shot a stop time in the top corner. Yet the neutral undoubtedly had a pang of sympathy for the losing side, Espanyol, and more specifically, goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
One or two eyebrows were erected last season when Fernando Pacheco, who suggested a Spain call-up not long ago, was replaced by Joan Garcia in Doel. The colossal 23-year-old, however, wasted little time to show why during the run-in, and when Los Pericos went back to La Liga through the play-offs, they only gave them once in four games against two of Segunda's best sides.
A little less than a year later, and it is Garcia that is contrary to La Roja. Those who often visit Crypto -Casino sites are probably more confidence in their money than Espanyol fans gambling on their side, but Garcia has become the main reason for their faith. Not often fans coordinate with games to view a keeper, but the exhibitions of Garcia have become exciting to see.
Against Mallorca, Garcia stopped Muriqi's first penalty and then again stopped Abdon Prats in a stop time, only for a reconsideration to be ordered by his foot because of his foot that left the goal line on most minute of distances. It must have been little comfort in the defeat, but the most important point of conversation around the Spain team of Luis de la Fuente has been the absence of Garcia, with various leading experts in Spain who calls him the best in La Liga.
Barcelona is credited with interest in Garcia, while Arsenal has also made an attempt to sign him last summer. They will be grateful that he has a release clause of € 30 million in his deal, because Los Pericos would demand closer to double that it was not there this summer.
Espanyol has the best defense of the joint second in the lower half of La Liga, the key in their survival bid, including their two top scorers who only manage 11 goals between them. Handings for his size, reassuring for his sticky hands, some of his stops have been Courtois-like this season, who were the same size to reach shots low. Garcia's breakout year made the goalkeeper a pleasant watch for the neutral, which is not a small performance – but nothing about what helps to save Espanyol.
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