Barcelona’s injury woes deepen as Hansi Flick turns to a young talent to address the absence of Joan Garcia in goal.
The squad is already stretched thin, with midfielder Gavi ruled out for five to six months following meniscus surgery.
Now, Garcia’s absence has created a goalkeeping dilemma, prompting Hansi Flick to turn to a promising young talent to shore up the backline.
With key fixtures like El Clásico against Real Madrid on the horizon, Barcelona’s depth and resilience are under intense scrutiny.
The player recalled to address this crisis is 19-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen, who has been summoned back from international duty at the U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile, as reported by Marca.
Garcia, 24, faces four to six weeks out after undergoing knee surgery for an injury sustained in training, potentially missing the crucial October clash with Real Madrid.
With Marc-André ter Stegen also sidelined until 2026, Flick has leaned on veteran Wojciech Szczesny, who recently extended his contract as a backup.
However, Kochen’s return adds a fresh dynamic, as the American, who joined La Masia from Florida in 2019, has yet to make a senior appearance but has been third-choice this season.
Kochen’s recall underscores Barcelona’s reliance on their youth academy amid mounting injuries.
Initially permitted to represent the USA at the youth tournament, Kochen is now en route to Spain for a potential debut against Real Sociedad.
Szczesny is expected to start in up to five matches around the October international break, but Kochen’s presence offers a long-term option.
Flick’s trust in youth could prove pivotal, as Kochen’s readiness will be tested in a high-stakes environment.
With Barcelona’s La Liga campaign and European aspirations at stake, how Hansi Flick navigates this goalkeeping shake-up could define their season.
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