Barcelona star unlikely to face expected backlash on return to old stomping ground
Barcelona star unlikely to face expected backlash on return to old stomping ground Spain lock horns with Egypt later today in their last game of the ongoing international break, and it may well be a special occasion for Barcelona’s Joan Garcia. Having earned his maiden call-up to the national team, there is a real chance the goalkeeper makes his debut for La Roja on the night. Notably, the game is set to be played at the RCDE Stadium, the home ground of Garcia’s former side Espanyol, whom he left to join arch-rivals Barcelona last summer.
Distinct circumstances The last time Garcia played at the RCDE Stadium was when Barcelona took on Espanyol at the venue in La Liga. He was greeted by loud whistles on the night, and understandably so, although he did not allow it to get to his head and delivered one of his season’s standout performances. Should he take to the field later today, the circumstances will be dramatically different as reported by COPE (h/t FCBWorld ) in a recent report.
Joan Garcia will return to the home ground of Espanyol. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) Unlike the last time when the stands were flocked by Espanyol fans, the crowd will be fans of the Spanish national team primarily on this occasion, who will not bother much about local allegiance. A crowd of close to 2000 is expected to arrive to jeer him, but they are likely to be outnumbered by the 35,000 Spanish fans who will be in attendance.
Their applause will overshadow the jeers and whistles of the Espanyol faithful. Ahead of the game, Spain NT manager Luis de La Fuente even made a public request for the fans to support Spain and not get into petty local discrimination, thereby pushing the same cause. “Leave your biases at home and come to support Spain.
“ Put local loyalties aside; think only of the national team. If anyone feels tempted to do otherwise, leave it at home; if not, stay at home. Come and enjoy yourselves after so many years,” he said.