Barcelona 1-0 Celta Vigo: Eric Garcia's amazing last-ditch defending goes viral

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·10 October 2022

Barcelona 1-0 Celta Vigo: Eric Garcia's amazing last-ditch defending goes viral

Barcelona maintained their unbeaten start to the 2022/23 La Liga season by beating Celta Vigo 1-0.

Teenage sensation Pedri grabbed the only goal of the game in the 17th minute of play, his second of the campaign thus far.

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Xavi Hernandez’s side were made to work incredibly hard for three priceless points at Camp Nou, though.

Celta Vigo actually had more shots on goal than Barcelona, former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas causing the hosts all sorts of problems.

It took a valiant effort from the Blaugrana's injury-ravaged defence to preserve the team's one-goal advantage.

Ex-Manchester City man Eric Garcia was one of Barcelona's standout performers on the night, with one moment of defensive excellence really catching the eye.

Garcia well and truly put his body on the line for the Catalan outfit, producing two crazy last-ditch interventions in a matter of seconds.

And they came after the Spain international executed the 'offside trap' to perfection...

Video: Garcia's incredible defending vs Celta Vigo

Well played, Eric.

Garcia's first tackle deflected a goalbound shot onto the post and he then leapt to his feet to successfully block another powerful effort from a Celta Vigo player.

Xavi will be absolutely delighted with the valiant actions from his defender, just like some football fans are on social media.

It's crazy to think that Garcia is still just 21 years of age. If he continues to improve at the current rate he is, the Spaniard will soon be one of the best defenders in world football.

Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Garcia

Before Garcia left City to re-join boyhood club Barcelona, Guardiola heaped praise on the defender and said it "broke his heart" that he couldn't find a place for him in the team during the 2020/21 season.

"Eric Garcia is like a son," he said. "He was a guy last season that after lockdown was our best central defender. He never made a mistake and played in the quarter-final of the Champions League.

"He's going to play in Barcelona and that is not an average player - he is a top player. He was not selected in the last two games and it broke my heart.

"That is why it is difficult for all the managers when you have a squad. You cannot imagine what it means."