Barcelona Without Joan Garcia for Sevilla Clash

FC Barcelona completed their final tune-up at the Ciutat Esportiva before flying south to face Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan – but they will do so without their first-choice goalkeeper.

Joan Garcia was missing from the session and has been ruled out of Saturday’s La Liga clash, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The keeper came off at half-time against Racing Santander after feeling discomfort in his right knee. The problem is not classified as serious, yet the club has decided not to gamble with a player who has quickly become a cornerstone of Hansi Flick’s side.

Barcelona’s medical room is not overflowing, but it is significant. Garcia now joins Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji on the injury list. Barring late surprises, those three are expected to be the only absentees for the trip to Seville.

Iker Rodriguez promoted again

Garcia’s absence has opened the door once more for Iker Rodriguez. Flick has drafted the 18-year-old Barça Atletic goalkeeper into first-team training and plans to include him in the travelling party as the third-choice option.

The hierarchy in goal is clear: Wojciech Szczesny is set to start, with Dominik Livakovic as his deputy. Rodriguez will sit behind that experienced pair, but his presence around the senior group underlines how highly he is regarded inside the club.

The teenager already spent a large chunk of pre-season working under Flick and has carried that confidence into the new campaign. For Barça Atletic, he has started the first two league matches, keeping clean sheets against Naxara and Logrones B. Two games, two shutouts – enough to convince the staff he can be trusted as emergency cover on a demanding away day in Seville.

Hamza Abdelkarim also continued to work with the first team, maintaining his place in Flick’s extended group. By contrast, Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu was absent again. The summer signing is still waiting for his first inclusion in a senior matchday squad, and that wait looks set to stretch beyond this weekend.

Perfect start on the line in Seville

Barcelona travel to the Sanchez-Pizjuan with momentum and a target on their back. Six games, six wins, top of La Liga on their own. Flick’s side have not just been efficient; they have been ruthless, swarming opponents with wave after wave of attacking play and piling up goals.

That rhythm now runs into one of Spain’s most hostile arenas. Sevilla sit fifth, with four wins from their opening six matches, and have quietly pieced together a strong start. They will not roll out a red carpet for the league leaders.

Barcelona arrive slightly patched up in goal, but with their confidence intact and their standards set. One more win before the international break would keep their record perfect and send a clear message: even without their No. 1, they do not intend to slow down.