Barcelona have activated contingency plans ahead of this weekend’s La Liga trip to Sevilla, elevating 18-year-old goalkeeper Iker Rodriguez from the academy into first-team contention. The move comes as Joan Garcia nursing knee discomfort picked up during Friday’s 7-2 demolition of Racing Santander, with the club opting for caution despite medical scans showing no serious damage.
Rodriguez steps up from La Masia into senior squad
Rodriguez was called up for first-team training on Friday and now stands ready to travel to the Sánchez Pizjuán as third-choice goalkeeper should Garcia be rested, according to SPORT. The teenager has already trained regularly alongside Hansi Flick’s squad on multiple occasions dating back through last season and beyond, when he was still progressing through Barcelona’s youth system.
His exposure to the senior setup accelerated this summer following the departures of Ander Astralaga and Aron Yaakobishvili. He featured prominently in the club’s pre-season tour, and has since impressed at Barça Atlètic, keeping clean sheets in both opening league matches of the current campaign. Despite his tender years, Rodriguez has demonstrated maturity and composure in those outings. Barcelona are simultaneously negotiating a contract renewal with the goalkeeper, signalling genuine long-term investment in his development.
Szczesny and Livakovic to shoulder backup duties
If Garcia is indeed omitted from the Sevilla squad, Wojciech Szczesny will likely reclaim the starting berth after replacing the first-choice keeper at half-time against Racing. Dominik Livakovic, the summer arrival, slots in as second choice, leaving Rodriguez in the supporting role. This three-tier arrangement permits Barcelona to manage Garcia’s recovery while retaining experienced alternatives should Flick require them during the match.
Why protecting García matters before a congested fixture calendar
Barcelona face no injury crisis at goalkeeper, yet electing to rest Garcia signals Flick’s desire to avoid needless strain on a key performer this early in the season. With European competition looming and domestic fixtures arriving thick and fast, precautionary rotation at critical positions strengthens rather than weakens squad management. Rodriguez’s presence in the travelling party provides legitimate cover without forcing a junior player into active duty, should circumstances demand it.
The teenager is expected to return to Barça Atlètic following the weekend fixture, with plans for him to rejoin the reserve side in Barbastro on Sunday, assuming he makes the trip to Seville with the first team first.
