Joan Garcia identifies Barcelona’s defensive concerns before El Clasico: ‘We may need to make a few changes’

Joan Garcia identifies Barcelona’s defensive concerns before El Clasico: ‘We may need to make a few changes’ Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia has admitted that Hansi Flick’s side may need to make defensive adjustments before facing Real Madrid in El Clasico .  Speaking ahead of Sunday’s meeting at Spotify Camp Nou, the goalkeeper expressed confidence in Barcelona’s preparations but acknowledged the importance of correcting issues after their 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.  With Jose Mourinho’s Madrid arriving for one of the biggest fixtures of the season, Garcia stressed that Barcelona must combine intensity with tactical discipline.  Rather than relying on their confidence alone, he believes the team must apply what they have practised on the training ground. Asked whether Barcelona needed to change anything defensively before the match, Garcia explained why preparation and execution would be crucial: “Defensively speaking, yes, we may need to make a few changes ahead of Sunday’s match, and I’m confident things will go well for us. “In matches like this, you can’t hold anything back; you have to give it your all, and I’m sure Real Madrid will do the same. “But we also need to realise that this is a match we must approach intelligently, be clear about what we need to do, and put into practice the things we’ve been working on in training. “If we manage to do that, I’m confident we’ll come away with the win.” Barcelona confident but Garcia refuses to overlook Courtois Despite acknowledging the defensive concerns, Garcia remains convinced that Barcelona have the quality to beat their rivals.  Joan Garcia admits Barcelona’s defensive limitations. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) The goalkeeper expects his team to control possession and dictate the tempo, although he stopped short of declaring the Catalans favourites for the encounter. When asked directly about Barcelona’s chances of winning El Clasico, Garcia emphasised belief in the team’s approach rather than making a prediction about the balance of power. “I don’t know if we’re the favourites to win, but what I can say for certain is that we have great confidence in our ability to secure victory. “We want to keep possession for as long as possible and be the dominant side in the match. “If we put the right plan in place and manage to execute it on the pitch, I’m confident we’ll come away with the win.” Garcia also faced a question about how he compares with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois , widely recognised for his performances at the highest level.  The Barcelona shot-stopper was respectful of his opposite number but made clear that his priority is helping his own side secure victory. “Courtois has proven himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and has maintained that standard for many years. “But I have to focus on myself and on giving my best to help my team, and I hope my performance will be a key factor in securing victory.” Flick’s instructions and Mourinho’s return take a back seat Garcia also explained the message Flick delivers before major matches, highlighting the balance between enjoying the occasion and remaining tactically disciplined.  Joan Garcia is focused on El Clasico. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images) “He always tells us we must enjoy these matches, because they’re such wonderful encounters, and it’s brilliant to have the chance to take part in them. “But above all, he emphasises the need to play intelligently and to know exactly what we need to do on the pitch. “If we stick to that, I’m confident things will go well.” Asked how the dressing room views Mourinho’s return to Camp Nou, Garcia insisted that the focus remains on the football rather than the wider narrative surrounding the Madrid manager. “We’re focusing on what really matters, which is what happens on the pitch; everything else is secondary for us.” The goalkeeper was equally measured when asked whether Vinícius Jr.’s absence would benefit Barcelona.  With both teams dealing with unavailable players, Garcia argued that squad depth would be important in a contest of this magnitude. “These things happen in football; just as we, too, are dealing with some absences. “Nobody likes to miss a match like El Clasico, but injuries and absences are part of football, and I think both teams have squads strong enough to make up for the players who are out,” he concluded. Source: Beteve