Eric Garcia will avoid a lengthy spell on the sidelines after Barcelona's medical team cleared the defender of a fracture following Sunday's collision with Rodri during the Valencia match. The centre-back suffered a blow to the nose in a corner clash but initial examinations revealed no serious damage, allowing the 25-year-old to return for next weekend's fixture against Levante.
Garcia limped off the pitch immediately after the head-to-head contact, prompting concerns he might face another extended absence. The defender fractured his nose last season and spent several weeks wearing a protective mask to shield the injury during recovery. Those memories resurfaced on Sunday when he went down, but Barcelona's medical department delivered positive news on Monday. The versatile defender, capable of playing across the backline, trained at the club's sports complex while already wearing a mask as a precaution.
Return Timeline and Champions League Impact
Manager Hansi Flick will have Garcia available for the La Liga clash with Levante this Sunday, though the defender will miss Barcelona's Champions League opener against Feyenoord due to a suspension carried over from last season. Garcia was sent off in the previous campaign's quarter-final second leg against Atlético Madrid, and that red card still prevents him from competing in European competition immediately. The academy graduate has started three of Barcelona's opening four league matches this season at right-back, ahead of Jules Kounde, who replaced him during Sunday's Valencia encounter.
The protective mask has become familiar territory for Garcia, who will don the same protective gear worn throughout his recovery last season. His quick clearance from injury assessment means Barcelona can field their preferred defensive setup without delay, though Champions League ambitions will temporarily proceed without the Spanish international. With proper precautions in place, Garcia is expected to resume his role as a key defender across Flick's backline in the coming weeks.
