Barca’s Flick backs ‘fantastic’ Szczesny, confirms Yamal return

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday he has faith in veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny after first choice stopper Joan Garcia suffered a knee injury.

Garcia will have surgery because of a meniscus injury and will miss between between four and six weeks, including Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

Garcia was hurt at the end of Thursday’s win at Real Oviedo which left the champions two points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

“It’s not good to not have Joan because he did a fantastic job. It was the last situation in the match against Oviedo. It happens,” Flick told a news conference ahead of Barca’s game against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

“Now Tek (Szczesny) is back. And when you see the last season, the second part, we won almost every match. We won three trophies with him.

“He is a fantastic goalkeeper and a fantastic person. I have no doubts about that.”

Szczesny, 35, came out of retirement to sign for Barcelona last season when Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a knee injury.

The Polish goalkeeper established himself as first choice and helped Barcelona win a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Flick also confirmed teenage winger Lamine Yamal would return to action after a groin injury.

“Whenever he’s on the bench or in the team, like tomorrow, he will have some minutes of course,” said the coach.

“Everyone is convinced that it’s the right moment to come back. We are happy we have him as an option for the match tomorrow.”