In an interview on Tot Costa on Catalunya Radio (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Eric Garcia analysed Barcelona’s current situation after defeats against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey and Girona in La Liga.
The versatile defender remained aligned with the tactical philosophy of manager Hansi Flick, even though the high-line approach has drawn some criticism.
Garcia stated that he believes the team will react, recover the league leadership and come back against Atletico, but admitted there are many defensive aspects that need improvement to avoid costly turnovers.
Confidence in current playing style
These issues were discussed on Thursday morning with the German coach in the dressing room:
“We wanted to talk about what happened. The way we lost, everything becomes magnified. The Cup semi-final was very important, and in Girona we lost the leadership. It has been a positive meeting and we all came away happy,” he said.
“Since he arrived, we have had this style of play with a high defensive line. In the league we have conceded 23 or 24 goals and it is not outrageous, but in the Champions League there have been matches with many goals.”
Continuing, Garcia added: “We know that with the style we have, opponents know us. The key is that they are creating more chances against us. Recently, we are having many losses of possession that are killing us.
“In Girona, if instead of them reaching us 15 times they do it six or seven times… We are human, but it is about regaining control of the ball to find balance.”
In this regard, Garcia believes the team must interpret match situations better, as he said: “There are many situations of ball recoveries where, with the players we have, Lamine can play an outside pass to Raphinha and leave us alone in the box.
“We live with these risks. It is more about knowing when we can really do it. If you come from a moment when the opponent has had possession for three minutes and you are struggling, perhaps you have to start calmly and push them back.
“We have done it in many matches, but in the last ones it has gone against us. But this style of play has led us to win four titles.”
Despite everything, he sent a message of calm, saying: “In La Liga, we have been in worse situations. After leaving the Bernabeu we were five points behind, but the League is very long and we depend on ourselves.
“In the Cup, I think it is possible to come back against Atletico. If we have shown anything, it is that we can overturn any result. If we score an early goal, even though they defend well deep, we can create danger.”
Aspects to improve
The defender then went on to list areas for improvement for the Barcelona defence, especially based on how things went against Atletico Madrid.
“It is logical that opponents adapt. If the opponent puts six players in, we are outnumbered. If we are able to push the opponent back into their area, we can press better after losing the ball,” he said.
“Against Atletico almost everything were counter-attacks after our losses. Knowing how we play, we can expose ourselves to this risk in some situations and try to minimise it.”
Continuing, he added: “But in the Champions League the opponent will have great quality and you know that at some point they can have a chance. There have been matches this year in which we have done it very well, but there are situations we must recognise.
“We played against Atletico and they set up a match in which, if you do not execute it well, they know perfectly what to do.
If they win the ball back, especially on the left, we have Balde, who pushes forward more, and on the right Jules closes more, and they know that on the wings they can create more danger.”
On refereeing
Regarding controversial refereeing decisions, he did not wish to create further controversy but admitted his astonishment at the lengthy review of the disallowed goal scored by Pau Cubarsí against Atletico.
“We have spoken about it today as well, but there are situations we cannot control. Nowadays you score a goal and if they want to find any action before you scored, they will disallow it, however minimal it is,” he said.
“They are matches in which we have entered into a bit of frustration and we have to reset. We know decisions can go against us and we must stay focused,” Garcia further noted.
“Against Atletico, we created chances in the first five minutes of the second half and scored, but seven minutes passed between whether they validated it or not. It seems crazy to me.”
Personal Evolution
Asked about his development as a footballer, he said he feels better as a centre-back but can adapt to any position, saying:
“I am a centre-back, but in Girona I played a lot as a full-back and if I have to help in midfield, I adapt. The perspective changes. It is not easy but I have managed to adapt.”
He also thanked Hansi Flick for his support, which contributed to his decision not to join Como in January 2025.
“The end of last season was very positive for me. I started to have more regularity. I played good matches at full-back and that gave me confidence, which Flick gives me,” he admitted.
“There was a moment when it seemed I would leave and the match against Benfica changed everything. We came back, I scored and the next day I spoke with the coach and now it can be said that I made the best decision,” he further added.
“I needed to know his point of view. Against Benfica I came on as a full-back and that opened up the option of playing not only as a centre-back but also adapting to midfield.”
Eric also recalled his journey at the club, having returned to Barcelona in 2021 as a free agent after his contract at Manchester City had expired.
“I have never doubted myself, I have always been clear about my abilities. I arrived at Barcelona after almost a year without playing. I was 19 or 20 and I needed regularity to grow,” he noted.
“I did not have it and I went to Girona with a similar style to here and with a coach who gave me a lot of confidence. I grew as a player and as a person and returned to Barcelona. At the beginning it was not easy but over the months I found confidence.”
The Spanish defender accepts what it means to play for Barcelona and the constant pressure and criticism that comes along with it.
“You know what you are exposed to on social media. Anyone can insult you. If they insult you, it is because you are doing something right and you play for Barcelona. At Barcelona, you have to live with this pressure and you have to win,” he said.
“When things do not go well, they will try to blame us but I have always been calm. If the attitude is good and you work, things end up arriving.”
Excited about the possibility of going to the World Cup with Spain this summer, he said:
“Obviously, it is always exciting and hopefully. It does not depend on me and I must continue working to the maximum and deliver my best level.”
Eric also highlighted two of his teammates as references, saying: “Pau Cubarsi, at his age, is impressive. Ronald [Araujo], I have always liked a lot, with his physique and incredible ability to recover the ball.”
Finally, he did not hide that he would like to be club captain one day, although for him, the most important thing is to contribute to a positive atmosphere in the dressing room.
“This year, I have had the fortune and the privilege of wearing the armband. I like there to be a good atmosphere in the dressing room and for people to come to training happy.
“When things are not going well, I try to encourage everyone, but the jokes end when we step onto the pitch,” he concluded.
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