The Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barcelona on January 3, 2026, was more than just a high-stakes match; it was a cauldron of animosity directed at one man: Joan Garcia. The Barcelona goalkeeper, who made a controversial switch from Espanyol last summer, endured a torrid return to the RCDE Stadium, facing a barrage of hostility from the moment he stepped onto the pitch.
Garcia's move to Barcelona, facilitated by a 25 million euro buyout clause, has made him a figure of intense hatred among Espanyol fans. The fact that he previously declared himself a "periquito" (Espanyol fan) and even kissed the Espanyol badge fueled the sense of betrayal. This perceived treachery was on full display as fans greeted him with banners branding him "Judas Garcia" and depicting him as a rat. Mock banknotes with his face were also distributed, and some radical supporters went as far as burning shirts bearing his name and number.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, charged with animosity. Every touch Garcia made was met with deafening whistles and jeers. The Espanyol ultras unleashed offensive chants, leaving no doubt about their feelings towards their former hero turned villain. The club anticipated the heightened risk of incidents and implemented increased security measures, including protective nets behind the goals, to prevent potential sanctions.
Despite the intense pressure and hostile environment, Garcia delivered a performance that could be described as career-defining. He stood firm against Espanyol's attacks, making crucial saves that kept Barcelona in the game. In the 20th minute, he even shoved his own defender, Gerard Martin, out of the way to make a vital stop. His resilience proved vital as Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory, thanks to late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.
Garcia's outstanding performance did not go unnoticed by his teammates and coach. Hansi Flick, Barcelona's coach, embraced Garcia after the final whistle, acknowledging his crucial contribution. The Barcelona bench was also seen reacting with amazement to Garcia's saves, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczęsny acknowledging the difficulty of starting ahead of Garcia given his current form. Despite the hostile reception, Garcia's stellar performance silenced the doubters and perhaps even earned him a measure of respect from the Espanyol faithful, even if grudgingly. While the Espanyol fans made their feelings abundantly clear, Garcia's response on the pitch spoke volumes about his character and ability.
