Champions League Semifinal: Eric García, the ideal replacement for Jules Koundé?

Published:6/05/2025 - 02:54h

Updated:6/05/2025 - 02:54h

Barça will not be able to count on Jules Koundé in the rematch against Inter. Is Eric García the ideal option to replace the Frenchman as right-back?

FC Barcelona visits Inter Milan this Tuesday in the most important match of the season so far, for a place in the UEFA Champions League final. In a true early final, Hansi Flick's team will have another significant absence in defense: Jules Koundé.

The Frenchman was injured in the first leg at Montjuïc and still has no return date, so Hansi Flick will have to use the bench to cover the right side, where the '23' has been untouchable throughout the season.

In principle, Eric García will be the chosen one to cover the absence of Koundé, who joins Alejandro Balde, Pablo Torre, Marc Casadó, and Marc Bernal in the Barça infirmary.

Hansi Flick is clear: Koundé's replacement will be...

"Injuries cannot be changed, but there are players who can cover the different positions. Koundé and Balde are injured, but whether it's Eric, Ronald, Héctor, Gerard... they can play in their positions and help us win," the coach commented in the pre-match press conference.

In that sense, on the right side, the responsibility will fall on the '24', although Héctor Fort is the only natural right-back available in the squad. The 18-year-old player can perform well on both sides, but this season he has had little prominence.

Eric García convinced Flick in the first leg at Montjuïc

Eric García in a match with Barça

Beyond the confidence that Flick has placed in him throughout the season, even preventing his departure in the last winter market, Eric ratified his conditions to cover Jules' absence in the first leg. The player from Martorell played the entire second half at a good level, with no responsibility in the goal conceded.

In total, García completed 37 of 41 passes (90 %), with 1 duel won, 3 lost, and 6 defensive actions in the 48 minutes he played. The 24-year-old defender only played 11 minutes on Saturday in Valladolid (1-2), thus entering the massive rotations made by the coach in matchday 34 of La Liga.

So far, he has 3 goals and 2 assists in 40 appearances this season (1,674 minutes). In the Champions League, he started against Monaco (2-1) and Atalanta (2-2). In the Barça debut in the tournament, he was sent off in the 11th minute, a key absence for the culé defeat in the Principality.

In the first half of 24/25, Eric played more as a pivot due to the absences of Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong. This 2025 he has returned to lend a hand in the center of the field after the injury of Marc Casadó, although he also played some matches in his natural position (center-back).