Eric Garcia talks Flick, Szczesny, Pedri, Olmo, Gavi, Ferran, Champions League, treble chances | OneFootball

Barcelona’s gala starting XI may well be one of the most ruthless attacking teams in world football. Pulling through a long season with a hectic schedule, however, is not possible by fielding them week in and week out.

Part of Hansi Flick’s success this season, needless to say, has been down to his optimal man-management and the stepping up by the substitutes whenever called upon.

The likes of Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo have all played key roles coming off the bench regularly this season, and Eric Garcia is one other player who has been a great presence in Flick’s plans.

Eric opens up

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, Garcia opened up on a series of topics including his time so far at Barcelona, his improved prominence, position on the field and other avenues.

The young Spaniard first spoke about how he has never had it easy at Barcelona, especially given how he has struggled to make himself a regular starter at any point.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had it easy here since I arrived. Last year I had to leave and I had to grow as a player, something that I think is necessary for any football player.”

“Once I came back here I knew that it will not be easy with a new coach, and in the preseason I was not here but was in the Olympic Games. Other teammates were here and did pre-season with him,” he added.

Regardless of having missed the preseason, Garcia now has regular minutes as a substitute and he attributed his rise to taking his chances.

“When I got the opportunity I think I knew how to take it and now it is true that I am in a good position. I am a regular substitute.”

“We would all like to play always, but that’s why you are in this club with players who with the season are showing that we are important,” he added.

The defender then went on to give his two cents on the recent 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League and what it meant to the dressing room.

“We knew that playing at home, it was important to make a good result. Obviously when you score first and then you find the 2-0, you try to close the tie or leave it with few possibilities.”

“We play at their home next, which is very difficult, as we already saw in the group stage, but we have a fairly favourable result,” he added.

Making the most of his chances. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Garcia also gave a peek into his ambitions this season which largely align with the dressing room’s ambitions as a whole – to win on all fronts.

“We are at a key moment of the season and we have few injuries. The coach has everyone plugged in and we all have different records and in any game, we can contribute different facets.”

On a possible treble, the young Spanish star said,

“The treble is a reality. We are alive in the three competitions, the Cup we are in the final, in the league we are in a privileged position that depends on us to win it, and in the Champions League too.”

“The return match remains and you are already in the semifinals. We can talk about a treble, yes,” he added.

Hansi Flick’s arrival has well and truly seen La Masia shine, and Eric himself is a product of the academy. Speaking on the manager’s trust in the youth system, he said,

“Flick trusted the young people a lot from the beginning. You can see that when we play. There have been a couple of games in which I looked at the bench and we were all kids.”

“He is a very open and very sincere coach. He lets you talk at all times and tells you what he thinks. The team has made a huge change and much of all this is his,” he added.

Barcelona next take on Leganes in La Liga, a team they lost to in their meeting in the first half of the season. Needless to say, Garcia accepted that it would be a tricky clash.

“Leganes beat us here in the first leg. These are trap games and if you want to win a league you must overcome them and play away from home with everything they play. It’s a very serious game.”

Staying on the topic of the league title race, he refused to rule out Atletico Madrid as contenders despite their falling off in recent weeks.

“A lot of things can happen in football. Atletico with one game a week and with the staff they have can be in the fight.”

“Madrid is there, but as I told you, La Liga depends on us and that is a privilege,” he added.

He also looked towards Barcelona’s potential next steps in the UEFA Champions League and who they can face at different stages of the event remaining.

“In Europe, giving respect to PSG, Arsenal, Inter, and Bayern, which are very strong, it is the most anticipated match by almost everyone, to put it in some way.”

“What do I really want? With the UCL I have enough. We have seen worse things at the Bernabéu, but as long as we continue on our side in the final, we will find the one on the other side,” he added on the final opponent he would like.

The youngster recently reached the landmark of having played 100 games with the first team, and he did not hold back in his happiness speaking about the same.

“I am a player of La Masia, I had to leave, but when I return it is something of great pride. I think I’m the first player to make a ‘corridor of colleagues’ for his 100 games and Ferran started it.”

“We started in the U-17 national team, then he signed for City and we were neighbors. I came here and he also followed me,” he added on his bond with Ferran Torres.

He also spoke about his relationship with other colleagues, including Pedri and Dani Olmo.

“I also have a very good relationship with Pedri. Olmo also knew him from before and Iñigo too. We are the five of the domino.”

Garcia has a great relationship with Barcelona teammates. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Commenting on Wojciech Szczesny and the Polish goalkeeper’s routine and lifestyle, Garcia said,

“Szczesny is someone who seems to never go with him, who seems to be not in training but is. Then you see him with his meditations and cold water.”

“He arrives and we all know where he is going, and it is not inside the locker room and when we need him we already know where he is. They have prepared a space for him to be calm,” he added jokingly.

“Ferran is a ba**ard. Pedri also kills them by keeping quiet and Gavi is a character worthy of study,” he added on his other friends.

Finally, the La Masia graduate spoke on his preferred position on the field, especially considering that he has played a lot as a pivot this season.

“I consider myself a center-back. It’s always good to be able to play in different positions, Girona also played on the side with a line of three. Míchel told me against Cádiz that he would only play that day and in the end, I ended up playing there all season.”

“I know that the midfielder is not my position, but I try to help the team and if I have to add from there, I’m delighted,” he added.

Source: Mundo Deportivo