Kochen returns from the U-20 World Cup due to Joan Garcia's injury

Fútbol Club Barcelona has had to react urgently to the injury of Joan Garcia, who will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee. The setback has generated a real "butterfly effect" that has reached the United States U-20 team. Diego Kochen, goalkeeper of Barça Atlètic, who was called up to play in the World Cup that begins this Saturday in Chile, was concentrated there.

However, the blaugrana club has decided to bring the goalkeeper back so that he can join the first team's discipline ahead of Sunday's league match (6.30 pm) against Real Sociedad. Kochen will predictably take a place on the bench as a substitute for Wojciech Szczesny, who will be the starter under the posts in Montjuïc.

Kochen's return: a race against time

Diego Kochen's trip from South America to Barcelona is a race against time. The club's objective is for the 18-year-old goalkeeper to arrive in time to be included in the squad list against the team from San Sebastian. Otherwise, the third goalkeeper for the match will be Eder Aller, who was already in the squad list last Thursday in Oviedo.

The change is a setback for the United States U-20 team, which will start the tournament in the early hours of Monday to Tuesday against New Caledonia without one of its key players in goal. The US coaching staff has had to readjust its planning at the last minute.

Diego Kochen, trained at La Masia, has been gaining prominence at Barça Atlètic and was called to be one of the references of the US national team in this U-20 World Cup. His sudden departure reflects the importance that the club gives to having the first team's goal covered, especially after the operation that will leave Joan Garcia out for between four and six weeks.

Barça's goal, on alert

Joan Garcia's absence is added to that of Marc-André ter Stegen, who is still in the recovery process. With this panorama, Szczesny remains Hansi Flick's bet to guard the goal, while Kochen and Aller will complete the rotation of goalkeepers in the squad.

The match against Real Sociedad is presented as a new test for a Barça that arrives conditioned by injuries, but that trusts in the solidity of its alternatives to stay in the fight in LaLiga.

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