FC Barcelona News: 18 February 2026; Fallout continues from Girona defeat, Eric Garcia injury ruled out

Barcelona’s 1-0 loss at Girona continues to reverberate through Camp Nou, with recriminations over refereeing, praise for a goalkeeper left unrewarded, and relief that a defensive scare has proven minor.

Joan Garcia, signed last summer, produced what club observers called his finest display in a Barça shirt, producing a string of reflex saves to keep the visitors within striking distance. Yet the 27-year-old still finished on the wrong side of the scoreline after Girona struck the frame of his goal twice and converted their clearest chance late on.

The defeat was compounded when Eric Garcia signaled to the bench midway through the second half, clutching the back of his left leg. Initial fears of a hamstring tear have been allayed; medical tests on Monday confirmed only mild discomfort, and the centre-back has been cleared of any structural damage.

While the squad regroups, frustration over officiating has moved to the forefront. Raphinha used social media to vent, writing: “We have many things to improve, but not only us. It’s very complicated when the rules are different, whether they’re in your favour or against you. But if we have to play against everyone to win, so be it… We’ll do it.” His post, which stopped short of naming officials, was interpreted as a broadside against the refereeing establishment.

The club’s hierarchy has entered the fray. Speaking at the unveiling of his re-election headquarters, president Joan Laporta launched the slogan “Defensem el Barça” and insisted: “I’m sure we’re going to win the league against all odds,” while referencing “the controversial incidents” in the Girona match and expressing full confidence in coach Flick and the squad’s mentality.

Rival presidential hopeful Víctor Font countered that the institution is adrift. “Populism and personalism are not good for Barça,” Font said. “The members are angry because we have never been so unprotected as we are now, and that is serious.” Font added that his team is preparing formal complaints over governance and refereeing oversight.

On the pitch, the numbers underline Barça’s misfortune. According to league data, no team in Europe’s major divisions has struck the woodwork more often this season; the Catalan side top that unwanted chart, and four of their players occupy the continent’s top-ten for hitting the frame of the goal. The statistic has revived the rueful nickname “Kings of the Woodwork” among supporters who believe fine margins are costing valuable points in a tight title race.

With the fallout still swirling, attention now turns to training-ground recovery sessions and a mid-week fixture that offers an immediate chance at redemption. For Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia and their teammates, the message from the club is clear: put the Girona defeat behind them, and let football do the talking.