Joan Garcia reportedly faked an injury against Rayo Vallecano to provide a tactical window for teammate Raphinha to change his boots following an uncomfortable start to the match.
Anxiety gripped Camp Nou when goalkeeper Joan Garcia went down after twenty minutes against Rayo Vallecano, but reports suggest the stoppage was purely tactical.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Garcia acted as an accomplice to Raphinha, who urgently needed to switch footwear.
While medical staff conducted checks, the Brazilian forward utilized the break to adjust his equipment, eventually leading to a more comfortable performance.
The clever maneuver spared the team a genuine injury crisis following recent concerns over Garcia’s physical condition.
The goalkeeper proceeded to deliver a Man of the Match display, showing no signs of distress.
Discussing the squad’s performance and the challenges faced during the match, midfielder Pedri noted that opponents often “cause problems” that require quick thinking and minor on-field adjustments to overcome.