Garcia praises Livakovic impact ahead of Real Madrid clash

Barcelona first-choice goalkeeper Joan Garcia has praised the impact of backup keeper Dominik Livakovic, stating that the Croatian international has brought valuable experience and increased competition within the squad. Garcia told Barcelona Televisio that Livakovic has integrated well since his arrival and raises the standards during training sessions, which he described as positive for the entire group.

Livakovic, aged 31, joined the Catalan club from Fenerbahce during the summer transfer window. He has made one appearance for Barcelona so far this season, stepping in against Sevilla when Garcia was injured. For the upcoming high-profile match against Real Madrid, reports suggest Livakovic will likely begin the game from the substitutes bench.

The derby takes place shortly after Barcelona suffered a 4-2 away defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Despite the loss, Garcia emphasized the need to focus on the next challenge, noting that the quick turnaround helps the team redirect attention. He acknowledged the difficulty of the Paris match but pointed out that the team showed they can compete with top European sides.

Currently, Barcelona sits six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table after nine rounds. However, Garcia warned against viewing the upcoming match as decisive for the title race, given that it is only October. He stated that while a victory would be important, many matches remain and the championship will not be decided by a single result.

Looking at the tactical aspect, Garcia highlighted the danger posed by the Madrid attack but insisted that the game would be won by collective team performance rather than individual battles between players such as Thibaut Courtois and himself. He reaffirmed his belief that Barcelona possesses the necessary quality to fight for all major trophies, including the domestic league and European competition, aiming to enter the final phase of the season with a chance to win everything.