Eric García ready to 'fight for titles'

Eric Garcia has started all four league games so far, and also got to score the first goal of his professional career. Xavi Hernández clearly has plenty of faith in the player and views him as a central part of his plans.

All the same, with a number of new defenders added to the squad, he is by no means guaranteed a place.

"I don't see it as a case of starters and substitutes" he said on the 'Tu diràs' show on Rac1. "Until now we were playing one game a week but now it's one every three days, so everyone has got to do their bit. Such competition is good for the team because it means you have to make the most of all the playing time you get and every chance that comes your way. If you don't, there's someone else behind you who will want to do it instead." 

Great start to Champions League

García was not used in the 5-1 defeat of Viktoria Plzen to open the European campaign, on which he says "we knew it was important to start with a win and keep up the good form. That was crucial."

As for hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski, “I have been surprised by how much he talks on the field. He helps his team-mates a lot. He tells you what he's going to do and to be ready for it. Such top quality players can adapt anywhere. He's a spectacular striker, the kind of player that makes a difference."

Ousmane Dembélé was another outstanding performer on Wednesday. "He's showing how talented he is" said Eric. "His tackle for the third goal might have surprised a lot of people but it's the kind of thing he does and we've seen him do that in training."

Xavi Hernández

Speaking about his manager, he claims that “since Xavi arrived, he's raised my confidence a lot, last season and this one too. Although it ultimately comes down to me and my performances."

“It also made a difference to play the full preseason and to be able to work in more peace."

New-look defence

Barça have only conceded two goals in their first five competitive outings. Says Eric, "Ronald Araujo is a beast. I have been working hard on getting the ball back into play and I'm also working on the physical part. We are all different kinds of players and we all try to help in our own ways."

Meanwhile, "Kounde is a total defender. He plays well in every position and we are very lucky to have him here with us."

Special goal

Against Sevilla at the weekend, Eric Garcia scored his first ever goal as a professional. “It was high time. The lads were egging me on quite a lot. I thanked Jules because he could have had a shot himself, but he passed it to me.”

“We'd has a very similar move the day before and it came off. I'm keeping the shirt as a souvenir of that goal. The reason I didn't seem to celebrate much at the time was because I thought Kounde was offside."