Barcelona has locked in the return date of Joan Garcia, paving the way for the 24-year-old goalkeeper’s highly anticipated comeback.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper, who joined the club with high expectations, quickly established himself as a reliable figure, showcasing sharp reflexes and a commanding presence in key matches.
His performances earned praise from coach Hansi Flick and fans alike, providing stability during a period when veteran Marc-Andre ter Stegen remains sidelined with back issues.
Now, Barcelona has set a firm return date for Joan Garcia, targeting his comeback after the upcoming international break, as reported by Diario Sport.
The club expects the goalkeeper to be fully fit for their La Liga clash against Athletic Club on Saturday, November 22, at the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou.
This timeline comes after Garcia underwent successful surgery on September 27 for a tear in the internal meniscus of his left knee, with an initial recovery estimate of four to six weeks.
The six-week mark falls on November 8, but Flick’s staff are prioritizing caution to avoid any setbacks. Garcia has already progressed impressively, resuming individual training sessions on the pitch at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper last week.
He has been ruled out of the midweek Champions League tie against Club Brugge and potentially the weekend trip to Celta Vigo, ensuring he returns at peak condition.
Flick addressed the update in a post-match press conference after the Elche game, stating: “We expect Joan Garcia to return to the team for the first match after the international break.” He is progressing very well, and his performance has been really excellent.”
This conservative approach aligns with Barcelona’s handling of injuries, aiming to reintegrate Garcia seamlessly.
His return will be a massive boost for the Blaugrana, who lead the La Liga standings and are navigating a packed schedule across domestic and European competitions.
Garcia is poised to reclaim the starting role, intensifying competition and bolstering the defense as the team pushes for silverware.
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