Barcelona Defender Trains with Protective Mask After Nose Fracture

On November 9th, 2025, Barcelona faced a significant setback in their UEFA Champions League campaign. The team's 1-1 draw against Club Brugge has jeopardized their chances of directly qualifying for the knockout stages, as they must now virtually win all their remaining games to guarantee progression.

Another major blow for Barcelona on the night was the injury to defender Eric Garcia. The player suffered a broken nose after a rough challenge with Romeo Vermant late in the game. While the injury does not directly impact Garcia's ability to play football, the club has emphasized the need to maintain his condition with care to prevent any further complications.

As Barcelona players took to the Camp Nou turf for an open training session, Garcia was seen training with the team, already wearing a protective mask to shield his injured nose. Initially, the player trained without the mask, but soon put it on once the ball was introduced into the session.

Despite the injury, Garcia is expected to be available for Barcelona's upcoming match against Celta Vigo this weekend. However, head coach Hansi Flick has expressed a preference to rest the defender as a precautionary measure, rather than risking him starting the game. Flick believes it would be better for Garcia to return to action only after the upcoming international break.

Wearing a protective mask is not an uncommon sight in football, especially for defenders. Barcelona fans will remember club legend Carles Puyol doing the same in the past. Given Flick's limited defensive options, Garcia could very well start against Celta Vigo, mask and all, as Barcelona look to bounce back from their Champions League setback.