Joan García a doubt for Getafe as knee pain lingers; call on Friday

📰 Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García is a doubt for Saturday's game against Getafe because of lingering knee pain. 📌 Key points 🦵 Joan García still feels slight discomfort in his right knee. 🏃 As of 7 October he had not fully rejoined group training and was working individually. 🛑 Hansi Flick does not want to rush him back. 📅 A final decision will be made on Friday 9 October, the day before the game. 🧤 If he misses out, Dominik Livaković is expected to start. 📝 What happened 🌧️ García hurt his right knee late in the first half against Racing Santander on 16 September, sliding behind the goal while trying to gather a wet ball. He was diagnosed with meniscus damage that did not need surgery and was expected to be out for about three weeks. Wojciech Szczęsny replaced him at half-time. 🧤 Flick then handed summer signing Livaković his debut at Sevilla, and Barcelona won 3-1 on 19 September. García used the international break to continue his rehabilitation. 🏥 As recently as 5 October, local reports said he was working indoors and was the most likely to start against Getafe. But AS reported on 7 October that his recovery is taking longer than expected and that slight discomfort remains. The initial estimate had been around two and a half weeks. 🔄 Barcelona are managing other players carefully too. Raphinha, who left Brazil duty early with thigh oedema, also trained individually on 7 October, and Flick called up six Barça Atlètic and academy players to fill out training. 📊 By the numbers • Injury date: 16 September, against Racing Santander • Initial expected absence: about three weeks • Livaković's debut as stand-in: 3-1 win at Sevilla • Reserve and academy players called up to training: 6 🔭 Why it matters Barcelona face a packed October. After Getafe on 10 October come a Champions League meeting with PSG on 20 October and El Clásico at the Camp Nou on 25 October, which is why Flick is wary of taking risks. García's availability will be decided after a final check on Friday 9 October. If he is ruled out, Livaković will start again, with Szczęsny as back-up.