The big difference between Hansi Flick and Luis de la Fuente

BarcelonaLuis de la Fuente's Spanish team faces its first major challenge of the 2026 World Cup next Saturday: they will face the Uruguay team. And although the sky blue has not gone beyond the draw against Saudi Arabia (1-1) nor against the irreductible selection of Cape Verde (2-2), continues to be one of the footballing powers of the Southern Cone. Thus, it is an opportunity for the red one continue improving and take first place in a group H where anything can happen. Facing this third group stage match, Luis de la Fuente must choose between continuing to distribute minutes or maintaining the block that worked so well for him on Sunday against Saudi Arabia.

After Gavi's timid debut in the opening match against Cape Verde, accompanied by Ferran Torres, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí and a Lamine Yamal who debuted as a substitute, there are still two Barça players who have not accumulated minutes in either of the two matches: Joan Garcia and Eric Garcia. Despite their extraordinary performances under Hansi Flick, the forecast is not positive for either the goalkeeper from Sallent or the defender from Martorell, as De la Fuente is not a man for big shake-ups.

The goalkeeping issue

After a great inaugural season protecting Barça's goal, it seemed impossible that the Spanish national team would not call up Joan Garcia. On the day of the announcement of the 26 called-up players, De la Fuente acknowledged the "fantastic season" of the player from Sallent, who, with a Zamora Trophy under his arm, claimed to be present on the World Cup list. But the question was not whether he would be called up, but whether he would play, taking Unai Simón's place and going over David Raya.

De la Fuente already made it clear that he would not be influenced by public opinion. After the friendly against Peru, the coach assured that the decision regarding the goalkeeper "was already clear before" and that he already knew who the starting goalkeeper for the World Cup would be "if nothing happens." After an exceptional Nations League in 2023, Simón earned the trust with his performance in the grand final against Croatia. In the Euro 2024, won by Spain, he also maintained his starting position. The same as in this World Cup. It matters little that, with the data at hand, there are better goalkeepers than the one from Athletic Club.

Of the three called up for the World Cup, Joan Garcia is the one who arrives freshest, with 4,042 minutes this season, compared to Unai Simón's 4,140 and David Raya's 4,620. Another register that raises concern is the number of goals conceded. While the national team's starting goalkeeper concedes 1.58 goals per game, Joan Garcia registers 0.93 and David Raya 0.60. The Arsenal goalkeeper has 28 clean sheets, while Garcia has 18 and Simón only 8. However, nothing indicates that there will be changes unless there are major errors.

Eric Garcia, a wasted all-rounder

In De la Fuente's list there are eight candidates for the first defensive line, but only five have debuted. Cucurella and Cubarsí have participated in the first two World Cup matches, and Laporte, Pedro Porro and Marcos Llorente have also had minutes. Álex Grimaldo, Marc Pubill and Eric Garcia are yet to debut. Why hasn't the Barça defender played yet? Llorente, Laporte, Cucurella and Porro have missed four or more matchdays due to injury this season; Grimaldo, three. Pubill, moreover, has only started in 15 out of 35 League matches with Atlético de Madrid. Cubarsí and Eric Garcia, therefore, arrive in the best conditions.

“Eric has been with me in the U-19, U-21... I know what he's like and he doesn't cause me any doubt,” De la Fuente assured after giving the squad list. The coach also highlighted that he can play in other positions “with solvency and have exceptional performance,” a statement that contrasts with his lack of minutes.

Cubarsí is the most experienced defender of the eight called up, with 3,978 minutes and 45 starts. Cucurella and Llorente follow him, while Porro and Laporte do not reach 3,000 minutes. This is where the doubt arises: why doesn't Eric Garcia play, with 3,954 minutes played and 47 starts?

Facing the high-stakes match against Uruguay, De la Fuente could opt for dynamic or flexible profiles, as is the case with the one from Martorell. While Cucurella, Cubarsí, and Laporte have a specific profile, Eric Garcia leaves a season of versatility with 26 starts as a central defender, 13 as a defensive midfielder, 11 as a right-back, and one as a left-back. Therefore, Eric represents an advantage in this regard for De la Fuente. It remains to be seen if he will take advantage of it for Saturday and the rest of the World Cup. However, considering the current coach's policy, it is difficult to imagine him becoming a starter after almost four years without being on the senior national team list.