“That’s part of life and football” - Flick offers support to Eric after Monaco red
The coach also discussed Eric’s position on the team
Perhaps the biggest reason for Barcelona’s first defeat of the season in their Champions League opener away to Monaco on Thursday was the red card given to Eric García in 10th minute of the game, after a mistake from Marc-André ter Stegen put the defender in a tough spot and forced him to take one for the team.
It also came in Eric’s first start of the season so far, in which he has played exclusively as a defensive midfielder despite being a center-back by trade. He has performed the role well in limited minutes under Hansi Flick, but was robbed of the opportunity of playing an entire match in the position on Thursday.
But as Barça prepare for a huge La Liga game away to Villarreal on Sunday, it sounds as though Eric has the coach’s trust to play as a pivot again. Flick spoke to the press on Saturday and was asked about García, and the coach offered his support for the player after his red card and made it clear he will keep using Eric in midfield due to the number of injuries in that spot in the present time.
“I have spoken with Eric because I understand his situation, I know he likes to work as a defender but right now we need him as a ‘6’. I see him doing well in that position in training. As for what happened in Monaco, that’s part of life and football’.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Eric has gone from a seemingly forgotten player who was destined for a departure in preseason to an important starter thanks to all the injuries, and it’s awesome to see that he has the full support from his coach. He will probably start against Villarreal, and we’ll see if Flick’s backing will give him the confidence to put on a good show.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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