Eric García scores the first goal of the 2025 preseason for Barça!

FC Barcelona took the lead in the 34th minute of the match against Vissel Kobe thanks to a goal from Eric García. The player from Martorell started as a right-back instead of Jules Koundé and, once again, responded to Hansi Flick's confidence in the position he occupied during the last month of the 24/25 season, due to the Frenchman's injury.

The Blaugrana team was clearly dominating the match and had already come close to making it 0-1 with a shot from Raphinha from the edge of the area that grazed the post. In the 34th minute, a corner served by Fermín López from the left ended in the opening of the scoring, after a bizarre action inside the area.

Eric tried to head the ball, the ball hit Gavi and, amidst the desperation of the Japanese defenders to clear the ball on the edge of the six-yard box, the '24' took advantage to shoot, blasting it past goalkeeper Maekawa.

Eric García continues to be 'sweet' with Barça

Curiously, three of Hansi Flick's main new features in his line-up participated in the action of Barça's first goal of the preseason: Eric, Gavi and Fermín. García was in charge of covering the right side, while the Andalusian was a defensive pivot alongside Pedri.

Fermín, for his part, was positioned as a left winger, with Raphinha more towards the middle. A position that the Brazilian, in theory, will occupy regularly in the 25/26 season with the presence of Marcus Rashford. The Englishman started the match as a substitute, after completing just a couple of training sessions with the squad.

The other clear message from Flick was Ferran Torres' starting role as a '9'. The 'Shark' remains the main alternative to Robert Lewandowski as a reference in the area, beyond the arrival of Rashford.

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For Eric García, the goal confirms his great moment in front of goal. The defender closed the previous year with 5 goals and 3 assists in 45 matches and, waiting to resolve his renewal, he is emerging as the first alternative to Koundé. This, in turn, could seal the departure of Héctor Fort.

Joan García made his debut as a starter, wearing the '1'

Joan García, for his part, did make his debut as a starter, wearing Ter Stegen's '1'. The Catalan goalkeeper had a couple of notable interventions in the first half, but could not prevent his goal from falling in the 42nd minute after a lethal counter-attack from Vissel Kobe. Barça, again, were caught off guard in the retreat after a loss in the opponent's half.

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