FC Barcelona defender Éric Garcia returned to full group training at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Monday morning, providing manager Hansi Flick with a timely defensive boost ahead of the weekend fixture against Getafe.
Rain Delays Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha Group Integration
While Éric Garcia integrated straight back into group drills, midfielder Frenkie de Jong and forward Raphinha were restricted to individualized workouts. Sport reported that severe weather and a weather alert in Barcelona prompted the club to keep players inside the gym for portions of the session, ultimately altering the coaching staff’s initial plan to reintegrate the Dutch midfielder into full team drills.
Frenkie de Jong arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva at 8:35 in the morning as the first to access the facilities. Sport noted that his knee issue originated during the World Cup group stage match against Sweden, and he continued playing to reach 110 minutes against Morocco before a penalty shootout elimination. Subsequent tests in Barcelona confirmed a rupture of the right knee lateral collateral ligament, for which player and club chose conservative treatment over surgery. Joan Garcia also spent the international break recovering in Barcelona following right knee discomfort, while Éric Garcia left the Spanish national team squad as a precaution. Marca specified that Éric Garcia returned early from international duty due to a knee edema, and Joan Garcia has carried joint discomfort since the fixture against Racing de Santander. Sport added that international players will return progressively this week, with Hansi Flick unable to count on his full squad until Thursday, and mentioned that Rodri will return after accumulating many minutes between the club and the Spanish national team. Sport also noted that the team has enjoyed nine days of rest.
Available Squad Members Under Hansi Flick
Despite persistent downpours and the absence of several international players, Hansi Flick oversaw a dedicated group of non-international professionals on Monday. Marca confirmed that Éric Garcia was the only squad member returning from recent physical issues to join the outdoor session immediately. The group working directly on the pitch at the Camp Tito Vilanova included Wojciech Szczesny, Gavi, Gerard Martín, Gabriel Jesus, Brian Fariñas, Alejandro Balde, and Éric Garcia.
Nil Solà reported over the weekend that both Joan Garcia and Eric Garcia will be available for matchday 8 of LaLiga EA Sports against Getafe CF.
Upcoming La Liga Fixture at Spotify Camp Nou
FC Barcelona returns to domestic competition on Saturday, October 10, hosting Getafe CF at the Spotify Camp Nou with kickoff scheduled for 18:30 local time (16:30 UTC). Flick’s squad resumes league action holding a comfortable lead at the top of the table after an impressive opening stretch of the campaign. The technical staff continues to manage the physical load of returning players carefully, with long-term absentees Andreas Christensen and Roony remaining sidelined in the medical room for the coming months.
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