Araujo Replaces Injured Eric Garcia in the 20th Minute
What happened on the pitch
Bernal’s goal briefly put Flick’s side back in front. Moments later, Eric signaled for a change. Araujo, who had already replaced him in the first leg at St James’s Park, came on.
Medical context and background
According to Filmogaz.com, the defender is not suffering a new injury. He underwent tests last week that ruled out structural damage. Still, he had missed the first-leg trip to Newcastle and the Sevilla game at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Those absences followed a hamstring overload. Club staff and the player opted for caution against a larger problem. Eric cited match intensity and his recent inactivity when he asked to come off.
Reports and headlines
Some outlets ran the line “Araujo Replaces Injured Eric Garcia in the 20th Minute”. Filmogaz.com clarifies that Garcia left in the 22nd minute and that tests found no fresh injury. The substitution reflected prudence rather than a confirmed new lesion.
Squad implications for Flick
Eric’s early exit increases defensive concerns for Flick. Two other fullbacks, Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde, were already sidelined after injuries in the Copa del Rey semi against Atlético.
That leaves limited options on the bench. Xavi Espart played the full match against Sevilla. Along with Álvaro Cortés, he and Cortés are among the few cover choices available to the coach.
Immediate outlook
- Garcia will undergo routine follow-up checks.
- The club appears to favor caution given recent overload history.
- Flick must manage rotation while key defenders recover.
