Barcelona's Eric Garcia sent off as club sets unwanted Champions League record
Barcelona defender Eric Garcia was sent off during his side's narrow victory at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, a dismissal that contributed to the Catalan club setting an unfortunate new record. According to statistics compiled after the match, Barcelona have now received more red cards than any other club in the Champions League over the past decade, with thirteen dismissals since 2014.
Six of those thirteen red cards have been straight dismissals, highlighting a persistent disciplinary issue that has plagued the club during a period of European decline. Barcelona's last Champions League triumph came in 2015, and their frequent numerical disadvantages on the biggest stage have not aided their quest to return to the summit of European football.
The data reveals that three current Barcelona players are the most frequent offenders. Eric Garcia, who joined the club's academy before moving to Manchester City and returning in 2021, has now been sent off three times in the competition. He is followed by fellow defenders Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi, each dismissed twice. This trend among the defensive unit is a particular concern for new head coach Hansi Flick as he builds his project.
Further compounding the issue, this season marked the first time in eight years that a club has had at least one player sent off in both legs of a Champions League quarter-final tie, with Barcelona's Ronald Araujo seeing red in the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain prior to Garcia's dismissal in Madrid. The pattern suggests a systemic problem that extends beyond individual moments of ill-discipline.
For Eric Garcia, the red card represents another setback in a challenging period. The 23-year-old centre-back, who has earned 19 caps for Spain, spent last season on loan at Girona and has found first-team opportunities limited at Camp Nou upon his return. His latest dismissal will likely result in a suspension, further restricting his playing time as he seeks to convince Flick of his value to the squad.
The club's disciplinary record stands in stark contrast to the controlled, possession-based identity historically associated with Barcelona. As the team undergoes a transitional phase under new management, curbing these costly red cards will be a immediate priority. The frequency of dismissals not only costs the team in crucial moments but also disrupts tactical planning and squad rotation for subsequent matches in an already congested fixture list.
