Eric's Hardest Night

The night of San Mamés was difficult for Eric Garcia. Football last night was by far the least important for the central defender, who he learned shortly before the match against Athletic that his grandfather had passed away. Still, Eric wanted to play. “He's a great professional,” Koeman explained. at the end of the game.

Surely, Eric wanted to pay him one last tribute. Emotions on the surface. But the match was a nightmare for the international. Iñaki Williams drove him crazy at first and his brother Nico finished him off at the end stealing his wallet and forcing his expulsion. Fortunately for Barça, Eric had at least the 'ability' to throw Williams Júnior out of the area.

After the week of wine and roses for his spectacular first day against Real, Eric lived the B-side of being a Barça central defender, the one that strips you when you play in the open field against someone who feels like a fish in water in that context like Iñaki Williams. All the duels that he won on the day of his debut, he lost this Saturday at San Mamés. He was in tow from a first action in which he insisted on waiting for Neto to come out for a ball and protected him. Williams won over the portfolio, and from that moment on, he had the feeling it was going to be a rough night. Piqué's injury didn't help him either. The Barça centrals did not interpret Williams' movements well and they were always late. That cost him a yellow card within half an hour for ramming Williams, who was waiting on his back.

The second part started just as bad. Araújo amended the flat after eating an uncheck on Williams' back. The Uruguayan ended up saving the action under sticks. Eric was never in the game, although for a few minutes he experienced something more comfortable when the Catalans were in control. The match could end in disaster. With the hour almost up, Eric lost a ball, chased and could not catch Nico Williams and threw it in an inning that was a red book and that could mean 2-1 in the subsequent foul. The thing did not go to major, but Eric finished the game touched.

Eric's strengths and weaknesses are already known. Intelligent in positioning, he anticipates well, has tactical sense and a neat ball kick. In his 20s, however, he is obliged to improve his level of aggressiveness when they seek melee.. Make yourself respected. He has good teachers. In the field is Piqué and, on the bench, Koeman, who always knew how to hide his lack of speed to close the defense. A very mature footballer despite his youth, Eric will draw conclusions from a difficult day. The learning process to be central to Barça also has its bad times.