The art of the sweeper keeper has been nearly perfected by Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but on Thursday Barcelona's Joan García proved that the role is harder than it looks.
In the 33rd minute García came way out of his box to stop a Real Oviedo attack. The 24-year-old did well to intercept and control the ball… but then he passed it right to an Oviedo player.
Joan García error vs. Oviedo
JOAN GARCÍA GETS CAUGHT OUTSIDE THE BOX AND OVIEDO TAKE THE LEAD OVER BARCELONA pic.twitter.com/3SlkmimFOV
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 25, 2025
Christmas isn’t for another three months, but man García may as well have wrapped the ball up and put a bow on it before giving it to Oviedo’s Alberto Reina. That was a gift.
García’s mistake will surely spice up the Barcelona goalkeeper situation. Long-time starter Marc-André ter Stegen isn’t expected to be available for another two months minimum due to a long-term back issue.
Wojciech Szczęsny is currently the back-up behind García. The 35-year-old Polish goalkeeper came out of retirement last season to help out Barcelona and ended up making 30 appearances during the 2024-25 campaign.
García, who joined Barcelona this summer following a $28.9 million transfer from Espanyol, has played every minute for Barcelona to start the 2025-26 season. This latest error is a brutal blemish.
