Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the 2026-27 LaLiga campaign with a dominant 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Spotify Camp Nou. While the reigning champions have now secured three wins from three matches, the performance of goalkeeper Joan Garcia has become a focal point of frustration among the club’s fanbase.
Manager Hansi Flick, who made three changes to the starting XI that previously defeated Athletic Club 2-0, opted to keep the 25-year-old Garcia in goal. However, after keeping clean sheets in their opening two fixtures against Elche and Athletic Club, the team conceded twice against Rayo Vallecano. This lapse in defensive stability prompted an immediate backlash on social media.
Supporters were quick to express their dissatisfaction, with one fan suggesting that “uncomfortable discussions” regarding the goalkeeper’s future are inevitable. Another critic bluntly stated that the former Espanyol player “better wake up” if he intends to remain the first choice. Further frustration was directed at his technique, particularly regarding the second goal conceded, with some fans calling for summer signing Dominik Livakovic to take over the starting role.
The match itself saw Sergio Camello open the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute. Barcelona responded swiftly as Raphinha equalized seven minutes later, followed quickly by a milestone goal from Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player to reach 50 goals for a club in Europe’s top five leagues. By the 51st minute, an own goal from Florian Lejeune extended the lead to 3-1.
Although Camello completed his brace in the 59th minute to narrow the deficit, Barcelona regained control. Raphinha netted his fifth goal of the season in the 71st minute off an Anthony Gordon assist, and Yamal capped the scoring with a strike from outside the box.
Despite the offensive success, individual scrutiny of Garcia remains high. The goalkeeper made three saves during the match but faced criticism for failing to adjust his positioning on the second goal. Fans have also questioned the club’s coaching staff, with some suggesting that the team’s defensive success is being undermined by inconsistent performances between the sticks. The report also notes that and they called him out for his performance, the fact that he failed to keep a clean sheet led the fans to react on X. The report also notes that pointing out that fans respect him a lot, another fan urged the Spaniard to respect himself. The report also notes that a fan pointed out that the former Espanyol man needs a proper back-up as the team nearly paid for his mistake. The report also notes that a fan simply claimed that the goalkeeper was having a shocker in the game. The report also notes that he failed to sort his feet out to be able to dive and save a header which was sent close to him, for the second Rayo goal. The report also notes that giving the visiting side the lead, sergio Camello broke the deadlock after 12 minutes. The report also notes that and two minutes later, Lamine Yamal scored his 50th Barcelona goal to put them 2-1 up, it lasted for just seven minutes before Raphinha equalised.
Comments