Barcelona keeper Joan García pushes team-mate to keep clean sheet vs Espanyol

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Barcelona keeper Joan García pushes team-mate to keep clean sheet vs Espanyol
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García enjoyed a winning return to former club Espanyol, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 derby victory - though not without a moment that left fans laughing in disbelief.

The La Liga leaders secured all three points at the RCDE Stadium thanks to late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski, but it was García's unconventional defending that stole the headlines.

Midway through the first half, the 24-year-old raced off his line as Espanyol attacker Pere Milla threatened to score.

With the angle closing rapidly, Garcia opted for an unusual solution by shoving Barcelona team-mate Gerard Martín into the firing line.

Footage showed the goalkeeper planting both hands into Martín's back, sending him tumbling to the turf just in time to make a crucial block and deny Milla inside the opening 21 minutes.

The desperate intervention worked, preserving García's clean sheet on his return to his former club.

Hostile Welcome at RCDE Stadium

García's return to Espanyol was always going to be fiery.

The Spain youth international became public enemy number one after completing a €25 million move to Barcelona last summer, crossing one of Spanish football's fiercest divides.

In the build-up to the match, Espanyol supporters reportedly planned to throw toy rats onto the pitch in protest - a reference to what they viewed as a betrayal by their former goalkeeper.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, García remained composed and ultimately celebrated a seventh clean sheet since joining Barcelona.

Derby Win Keeps Title Charge on Track

Whilst García's shove-and-save moment provided comic relief, the result was serious business for Barcelona.

Late strikes from Olmo and Lewandowski ensured victory in the Catalan derby, keeping the pressure firmly on their title rivals.

For García, it was a memorable night - part redemption, part controversy, and part slapstick - but one that ended with three points and another clean sheet on his growing Barcelona résumé.

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