Date set for Joan García's return

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Joan García
8.410.000€+260.000€    2

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The coach of FC Barcelona does not want to rush the goalkeeper's return. His recovery is positive, but he will remain out of the Champions League match against Bruges. The club will take advantage of the break to ensure his full recovery.

At FC Barcelona, there is no rush with Joan Garcia, who has missed seven matches due to injury. Hansi Flick's team prefers a return with all guarantees and no uncertainties. In the press conference after the 3-1 victory over Elche, the German coach was clear: "he will not be available for Wednesday's match" in the Champions League against Bruges and "I hope he will return to the team after the break." The idea is clear: there will be no unnecessary risk in his comeback.

Joan Garcia fell in the final play of the Oviedo-Barcelona (1-3) match on September 25 and underwent surgery on the 27th for a ruptured internal meniscus in his left knee. The initial diagnosis estimated a recovery time of four to six weeks, a timeframe that is now completed. However, the club prefers to gain time during the international break to consolidate sensations, as advanced by MD and confirmed by Flick himself. In this scenario, the figure of Szczesny gains importance: the Pole is in good form and has resolved complex actions, although the team is conceding a goal per game.

“Normally I expect him to return to the team after the break… He's doing very well. The recovery is good. He's been working with Dela (De la Fuente) and looks very promising”, Flick pointed out after the victory over Elche. The message is clear: the recovery is going well, but there will be no shortcuts.

Technical staff's plan

The roadmap involves completing the lead-up to the break without Joan, without forcing it, and reactivating him when he is truly ready to compete. The coach and his staff want the goalkeeper to return with full confidence and without doubts in the operated knee. The presence of Szczesny allows the Blaugrana to manage the timing without haste, key to minimizing the risk of relapse.

Calendar and timelines

Flick's team will visit Bruges in the Champions League on Wednesday, November 5 (21:00), and then in LaLiga, they will play at Balaídos against Celta on Sunday, November 9 (21:00), which marks the completion of the six-week estimated recovery period. The internal forecast indicates Joan's return after the break, when the schedule eases up and the goalkeeper can rejoin with better sensations.