Dominik Livakovic spoke publicly about his lack of playing time at FC Barcelona while on international duty with Croatia ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture against the Czech Republic.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper, who arrived from Fenerbahçe for two million euros fixed at the end of the summer transfer window to expand Hansi Flick’s options under the posts, has appeared in just one official match for the Catalan club since joining, starting in a 3-1 victory against Sevilla on September 19 when Joan Garcia was injured Mundo Deportivo reported.
That lack of continuity has stirred unease back in his home country, with growing concern that his lack of playing time threatens to become an international problem and could compromise his role in future squad selections.
Croatia national team manager Slaven Bilic addressed the situation publicly before his squad faced England, stating that the goalkeeper’s current ostracism at Camp Nou poses a challenge Yahoo reported.
“No is good that he does not play. He can train very well in Barcelona, but he needs minutes,” Bilic told reporters according to Yahoo Noticias.
“Son entrenamientos del Barcelona, donde te dispara Lamine Yamal, pero no es lo mismo,” Bilic added Yahoo reported.
Addressing reporters during a press conference in Croatia, Livakovic insisted he remains relaxed about his role under manager Hansi Flick. He acknowledged that Joan Garcia remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the Blaugrana.
“Por supuesto, lo ideal sería jugar todos los partidos, pero espero pacientemente mi oportunidad,” Livakovic said SPORT reported.
“Soy un chico de Zadar, juego en el Barcelona y estoy realmente muy orgulloso de ello,” Livakovic added SPORT reported. The 84-times international further said that he has already been able to defend the goal of such a big club.
The veteran shot-stopper emphasized the intense nature of training sessions at the club’s facilities alongside Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Iker Rodríguez, and goalkeeping coach José Ramón de la Fuente Mundo Deportivo reported.
“Los entrenamientos en el Barcelona son realmente duros. Estamos hablando de los mejores jugadores del mundo. Los entrenamientos son excelentes,” Livakovic said SPORT reported.
When Livakovic signed a four-year contract through June 2030, he accepted the role of backup to Garcia, who has started every match this season except the fixture in Seville Mundo Deportivo reported.
In early October, agent Andy Bara discussed the goalkeeper’s trajectory for the campaign SPORT reported.
“Livakovic could play between five and seven matches this season,” Bara said SPORT reported.
“He signed for Barça to prepare this year and fight for the starting spot next season, thus competing for the number 1 with Joan Garcia,” Bara added SPORT reported.
Additional playing opportunities could open up early next year when the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup begin in January 2027 SPORT reported. Barcelona is scheduled to enter the Copa del Rey in the round of 32 on December 15 or 16 in a single-elimination tie against a lower-division opponent Mundo Deportivo reported.
Livakovic was expected to start for Croatia in Osijek against the Czech Republic in the UEFA Nations League Mundo Deportivo reported, working to earn more minutes while carrying forward his positive attitude from the international camp.
“Estoy entrenando, esperando mi oportunidad y me encuentro bien,” Livakovic assured Mundo Deportivo reported.
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