Joan Garcia Dismisses Newcastle Transfer Interest: 'I Knew What I Wanted'

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia has publicly downplayed interest from Newcastle United last summer, a period that saw him make a significant move from city rivals Espanyol. Before joining the Blaugrana after they activated his €25 million release clause, the Magpies were among several Premier League clubs reportedly keen on securing his services.

Garcia shared his thoughts ahead of Barcelona's second Champions League encounter of the season, a crucial Round of 16 first leg hosted by Newcastle at St. James' Park. He conveyed a sense of optimism about his team's current trajectory.

"We're approaching this match with immense enthusiasm, fully aware there's a second leg to come, but we expect them to give it their all," Garcia stated. "We must learn from our Copa del Rey tie against Atletico, where we paid the price for our performance in the first leg." He added that the squad has progressed in recent fixtures, citing improved pressing and structure. "We’ve taken a step forward in the last few matches. We press better, and when we're well-structured, we capitalize on the extended training weeks. I said after the 4-0 against Atletico that we would learn from our mistakes, and as a young squad, we’ve understood that."

Garcia Unfazed by Barcelona Election Buzz

The press conference followed an intense election debate between presidential hopefuls Victor Font and Joan Laporta, where Xavi Hernandez's controversial claims about Laporta sabotaging Lionel Messi's return were a hot topic. Garcia, however, remained focused on the pitch.

"It doesn't affect us at all; we're entirely focused on the game," he remarked. When questioned about the potential departure of Director of Football Deco, a promise made by Font should he win, Garcia reiterated the team's singular focus. "I haven't given that any thought, nor have my teammates; we're concentrated on what's at stake."

Prior Experience Against Newcastle Proves Beneficial

Recalling their previous meeting, Garcia highlighted his strong performance, which included several key saves in a match Barcelona ultimately won 2-1.

"It's advantageous to have played here before to familiarize ourselves with the opponent and the stadium," he noted. "However, we know they will start with high intensity, and we'll need to be vigilant." He further emphasized the need for concentration and matching Newcastle's pace. "It definitely helps to have played here previously, but we must maintain focus and match their high tempo. They're a team that presses hard and relies heavily on their physicality. We managed to counter that in our 2-1 win, but we need to replicate that effort and improve upon any weaknesses."

'I Knew What I Wanted' – Joan Garcia on Barca Move

When pressed on whether he received direct interest from Newcastle last summer, Garcia distanced himself from the notion of a potential transfer to the English club.

"A lot was speculated during the summer, but once Barcelona's name came up, I knew exactly what I wanted," Garcia affirmed. When asked if Newcastle had made any calls after that, he simply replied, "No. I'm very happy here at Barca."

Barcelona is set to face Newcastle at 21:00 CEST on Tuesday, aiming to secure a favorable result to take back to Camp Nou for the second leg. The Catalan giants are currently in strong form, boasting a run of four consecutive victories since their significant defeat to Atletico.