Joan García could not come out for the second half against Racing de Santander, and Szczesny took his place after halftime as Barça led 4-1. The change came after García made a bad gesture following a slip in the first half, turning what looked like a controlled night into an early fitness concern.
That is why his name is being searched now. García had been ahead of Szczesny until this match, so his withdrawal at the break was more than a routine adjustment. Hansi Flick chose Szczesny for the second half, and the veteran made his debut this season while Barça continued with the score already in hand.
The detail that matters is not the scoreline. It is that García was unable to continue after the slip, and the extent of the discomfort is still unknown. What happened on the pitch was visible; what it means for the goalkeeper’s immediate availability is not yet clear.
The next hours will decide the rest. The medical staff must evaluate García’s discomfort and establish whether the problem is minor or something that will keep him out longer. Until that assessment comes, Barça know only that they lost their starting goalkeeper midway through a match they had under control, and that Szczesny was first into the gap.
Livakovic was still waiting for his chance.
