According to Sport, Barcelona's first-choice goalkeeper Joan García is experiencing minor knee discomfort and will likely be rested for Saturday's match. Head coach Flick is unwilling to risk the tactically crucial player and has called up 18-year-old goalkeeper Iker Rodríguez from the academy to train with the first team. Rodríguez is regarded as a future prospect for the goalkeeper position at La Masia.

Flick and the first team are dealing with a minor issue. Joan García is experiencing slight knee discomfort, and while tests have not revealed any serious or particularly concerning injury, he will likely rest on Saturday. Given the player's importance in Flick's system, the club does not want to take any risks. Szczęsny replaced him in the second half against Racing Santander, and the defense performed poorly during the 4-2 defeat. However, Flick stated that Szczęsny is expected to return to Sánchez-Pizjuán for the away match against Sevilla.

Previously, one of the main topics of external discussion was who would serve as Joan García's deputy, with candidates Szczęsny and Livaković, an unexpected signing at the end of the transfer window. For now, the Balkan international appears to have been dropped to third-choice goalkeeper, meaning he will spend most of the season on the bench. We will see if Flick changes his mind, but in his press conference, he reaffirmed his decision to place Tek (Szczęsny) behind Joan.

In this context, regarding the goalkeeper position, the coaching staff called up Iker Rodríguez on Friday. This young goalkeeper from Sabadell is a primary prospect for La Masia's future. In fact, the club is working to finalize a contract extension with the goal of implementing a generational change at goalkeeper for the seasons ahead. Iker has started the season strongly, keeping clean sheets in both of Barça Atlètic's opening league matches, and despite being just 18 years old, he has demonstrated great confidence in goal. This past summer, following Jákobishvili's departure, he already participated in the first team's tour.

Iker has participated in several first-team training sessions this season and in previous seasons as well — when he was a first-year youth player. Flick and his coaching staff know him very well. The current plan is that if Joan García is ruled out of the squad, Iker will travel with the team to Sevilla for the matchday seven fixture on Saturday, then head to Barbastro on Sunday to play for Barça Atlètic. This young goalkeeper will face two matches in a week, unless there is a last-minute change and Joan García is fit to play on Saturday, but for now, that seems unlikely.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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