Story byHow Barcelona and Espanyol avoided any hostility towards Joan Garcia through special security measuresBarca UniversalSun, January 4, 2026 at 8:20 AM UTC·2 min readBarcelona started 2026 in the best way possible, securing a 2-0 win in a heated Catalan derby against Espanyol. Joan Garcia, being the best performer of the match, was understandably the focus of all attention at the RCDE Stadium. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe goalkeeper faced a barrage of whistles, insults, and banners throughout the match. In a pointed display of resentment, fans even threw stuffed rats dressed in Blaugrana colours, specifically targeting the 13th minute to mock his jersey numberDespite the vitriol, the Sallent native remained unflappable, making crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. He now has seven clean sheets in La Liga, just one less than Thibaut Courtois, despite playing fewer matches. Extreme security protocol for Joan GarciaAware of the specific threats made on social media leading up to the game, both clubs and local authorities treated this as a “high-risk” fixture, as revealed by Diario SPORT. Joan Garcia produced a stellar display against his former club.