Barça risk El Clásico without Joan García, out for three weeks

While FC Barcelona prepares for the El Clásico, the club will have to go the next three weeks without goalkeeper Joan García. The 25‑year‑old keeper suffered a meniscus injury on Wednesday evening in the match against Racing Santander (7‑2) and was replaced at halftime.

Injury and immediate consequences

García tore his meniscus in the right knee when he slipped behind the penalty area on a wet part of the pitch, without falling heavily. He was replaced at halftime by Hansi Flick with Wojciech Szczesny, who guarded the goal for the remainder of the match.

Choice for the goalkeeper

Medical tests at the training base confirmed a meniscus injury, but no surgery is required. The injury does not involve the same knee that gave García trouble last season.

Flick initially hoped for a recovery before the Saturday match, but has now confirmed that García will be out for three weeks. The coach now has to choose between Szczesny and the summer signing Dominik Livakovic for the upcoming match against Sevilla.

Szczesny earned the starting spot after García was ruled out, but made a costly mistake that led to Racing's second goal. However, Flick remains behind the Polish keeper, while Livakovic, who has not yet played, is eager to make an impression.

Upcoming matches and impact

García joined Barcelona from Espanyol in the summer of 2025 and has already played seven matches in the starting lineup this season, contributing to the champion's successful start to the campaign.

After the international break, which starts on Monday, Barcelona face Sevilla on 10 October, followed by duels against Paris Saint‑Germain and Real Madrid. The El Clásico on 25 October does not appear to pose a risk for García, who should be available again by that date.

Although the loss of a first‑choice goalkeeper lasts three weeks, it is expected that the Catalans can get through the coming period without major issues, given the options available in goal.