Barcelona star faces major challenge on the road to La Liga individual honour

However, Garcia arrives in strong form, having kept clean sheets in his last two league matches against Celta Vigo and Getafe. He has now gone 214 minutes without conceding.

Overall, the Barcelona shot-stopper has kept 14 clean sheets in 27 La Liga appearances, all of them full matches. If he adds another at El Sadar, he will claim top spot in the Zamora standings.

Zamora Trophy within reach. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

His current coefficient stands at 0.70 goals conceded per game, with 19 goals allowed in 27 matches.

The current leader is Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid, who has a coefficient of 0.86 after conceding 24 goals in 28 games. Courtois is currently injured but has already met the minimum match requirement.

Third place belongs to David Soria, who has conceded 34 goals in 33 matches for Getafe, giving him a coefficient of 1.03.

For Garcia not to end the matchday as Zamora Trophy leader, two scenarios would have to occur: either he does not play or fails to reach 60 minutes, or he concedes heavily. He has a margin of up to four goals to remain ahead and five to match Courtois.

Last season serves as a warning. Inaki Pena conceded four goals in a 4-2 defeat at El Sadar, a result that marked the first league loss under Hansi Flick. Garcia himself also conceded twice there last season while playing for RCD Espanyol.

This weekend presents a significant challenge, but also an opportunity for Garcia to confirm his status as one of the league’s standout goalkeepers.