Few have questioned the signing of Joan Garcia from Espanyol this summer, in general considered a smart piece of company by Barcelona. The € 25 million goalkeeper should be their long -term answer to the position, and based on last season he is there with the very best in La Liga.
However, there has been some curiosity about how Garcia could adapt to the style of Barcelona, radically different from what he was used to in the RCDE stadium last year. Los Pericos tended to defend their box, with Garcia peppered with shots in his six-year box. In the meantime, Garcia has to use his feet more in Barcelona, wipe behind the defense and go one-on-one more often.
Speaking in an in -depth interview with MD, where he did not express regret about leaving Espanyol for their greatest rivals, Garcia said he felt at ease despite the change.
“The truth is that one style is very different from the other, but I feel very comfortable. I felt very comfortable, both in the weeks of training and in the games we played. I consider myself a brave keeper who likes to help his teammates in every way he can. And I feel very comfortable, but I feel myself.”
In the meantime, he admitted that the high line of the defense was not easy, but that it was effective.
“It is difficult, it is difficult because you are not used to it, but in the end it became good last year, it wore fruit and I think it is important to continue it.”
Manager Hansi Flick has asked Garcia to keep doing the same things as last year.
“Well, above all, that I went on last season, when he told me that I was very good, that I played a number of great matches. And also, that I can help in any way. I believe I'm going to do that, and I'm going to do well.”
One of the most important departure to Barcelona this summer was Inigo Martinez. The Basque Defender has been emphasized by Flick as one of the leaders of the backline, and the one who checked the backline.
“I think that in this way of playing, everyone has to be in sync. No matter how much one player is in charge, ify on the other side makes a mistake, it Doesn't work. I think there's a very good connections. (Araujo) or Andreas (Christensen), are the Ones Who Set The Rhythm, But I Think It's The Younger Players, Both Pau (Cubarsi), Who Seems Like A Veteran, and Bald.
“The defenders help me and ask me to help them, to be high, to be close to them, because they eventually have a lot of space behind them and I have to help them cut balls. That is what we are here, and I will try to do it.”
In the meantime, Captain and Veteran Marc-Andre ter Stegen were at odds with the club, because it became clear that they brought in Garcia to replace him. However, there have been no problems between the two.
'[It was] Well, the dressing room has no problem. He is with us, he is the captain, and then what problems there are between him and the club, I hope they will be resolved, and it seems that they are like that. When they are solved, it's better for everyone. “
In terms of what Barcelona can improve, Garcia reminded that many of his teammates do not have the experience of a Ter Stegen, and therefore learn when they go.
Well, I think it is also a bit related to the youth. There are things that we may not have found yet and we will be confronted. It's about seeing how they react to adversity. But I think they showed last year that they are a reliable team, and now this year, with small improvements and a little better to adapt to the coach, it will be the case.