Joan García returns to Barcelona’s group training after knee injury

Joan García has returned to Barcelona’s group training after being sidelined by an injury. The Spanish goalkeeper was hurt on 17 September in the match against Racing Santander. Medical examinations subsequently confirmed mild discomfort in his right knee. He has taken part in group sessions for the first time since the injury, a step that brings him closer to returning to the squad and resuming normal match participation.

That return to training does not confirm that he will be available for the next match. Barcelona coach Hans Flick had said after a game that García was feeling pain in one of his knees and that medical tests would determine whether he could play against Sevilla on Saturday. His return to group work now brings him closer to full fitness and a return in goal, but his participation remains to be established.

During García’s absence, Szczęsny replaced him against Racing Santander. In the following match, against Sevilla, Barcelona started Dominik Livaković, with García still out because of his injury.