El Clasico offers final chance for Real Madrid defender to prove his worth | OneFootball

Fran Garcia may have two more years left on his Real Madrid contract, but if a report in MARCA is anything to go by, the full-back is well aware that his future at the club could be decided in just 90 minutes and it all comes down to how he handles Lamine Yamal in the Clasico.

The 25-year-old defender knows this might be his final audition to prove he can play an important role in a Real Madrid squad undergoing transition.

And with the highly anticipated arrival of Xabi Alonso, the competition for places is only expected to intensify.

Garcia has already faced Yamal before, in the Copa del Rey final, where he had a nervy start. He struggled initially against the electric dribbler, but to his credit, he adapted.

After a rough first half, he began to assert himself physically and tactically, even venturing forward with confidence and neutralising threats down his flank.

But now comes the real test with more preparation, more analysis, and more pressure.

More time to prepare

Fran Garcia is playing for his future. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

According to internal discussions between Garcia and Real Madrid’s coaching staff, Yamal has a very specific trait: he likes to receive the ball at his feet.

Unlike other pace merchants, Yamal does not always make runs in behind. Instead, he wants the ball at his feet so he can isolate defenders and destroy them in one-on-one situations.

This knowledge changes everything. Real Madrid believe the only way to stop Yamal is by denying him the ball outright, or at the very least, not allowing him to receive and turn.

For Garcia, that means sticking to him like glue, a mission that requires positional discipline, mental sharpness, and an incredible amount of stamina.

If he can limit Yamal’s influence, he does not just help Real Madrid win a crucial Clasico, but he also sends a clear message to Alonso that he belongs at Real Madrid.

But if he fails, it could mark the beginning of the end for his Real Madrid journey. Despite having years left on his deal, the Spanish left-back knows that patience is not a virtue often found in Madrid.