Joan García: Every goalkeeper wants a clean sheet, but winning is what matters most

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona found their smile again with a convincing 6-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés. Barça rediscovered their sharpest form in front of goal, while the opponent managed only a consolation goal five minutes from time.

However, Mariano's goal was merely the result of an individual error (Rodri's misplaced back pass) and did little damage, though Barça still failed to keep a clean sheet once again. In 14 games this season, they have managed only four clean sheets, three of which came in the first four league rounds. Since September 9, Flick's side has kept just one clean sheet, against Getafe at Spotify Camp Nou.

In an interview with Esport3, Joan García did not hide his slight disappointment after the win over Deportivo Alavés. "All goalkeepers will tell you the same thing: they all want to keep a clean sheet. But in the end, we all know that winning is what matters. A clean sheet would be better, of course, but the most important thing is the three points," the Catalan goalkeeper said in the mixed zone.

It is worth noting that in the Champions League, Flick's Barcelona have conceded in 18 consecutive matches. In Europe's top competition, they have not kept a clean sheet since the first leg of the quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund in early April 2025. Last season, they failed to keep a clean sheet in any European match.

Therefore, Joan García has a dual task next Tuesday when Barça host Aston Villa: to make up for the disappointment of conceding a late goal against Deportivo Alavés and to finally end the run of matches without a clean sheet in the Champions League. The goalkeeper from Sallent has shown composure and made decisive interventions, dealing in time with dangerous balls played in behind Barça's defense.

However, his performances have not yet been reflected in the clean-sheet count.