Croatia Warn Barcelona Over Dominik Livaković's Situation
Dominik Livaković's lack of playing time at Barcelona is becoming a growing concern for Croatia. National team coach Slaven Bilić acknowledged that the goalkeeper needs regular minutes, although he once again trusted him with a starting role against England in Thursday's UEFA Nations League clash.
FC Barcelona are facing a situation that is beginning to attract attention beyond Spain.
Dominik Livaković, one of Croatia's most experienced goalkeepers, has endured a difficult spell since arriving at the Catalan club, and his lack of playing time has now prompted a reaction from the national team.
During the announcement of his squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against England and Czechia, head coach Slaven Bilić expressed concern about the goalkeeper's limited opportunities.
The coach acknowledged that training alongside players of Lamine Yamal's quality provides a demanding environment, but insisted that no training session can fully replicate the intensity of a competitive match.
For Bilić, the issue is not related to Livaković's ability but rather his need to maintain match fitness and competitive sharpness.
The national team coach also clarified that the goalkeeper remains part of his plans, although his situation may need to be reassessed if his lack of playing time continues.
Joan García Makes Livaković's Opportunities at Barcelona Even More Difficult
Livaković's situation is far from straightforward within Hansi Flick's squad.
The Croatian goalkeeper joined Barcelona during the summer 2026 transfer window from Fenerbahçe, signing a contract until June 2030.
However, he immediately faced competition from Joan García, who has established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Catalan giants.
So far, Livaković has made just one LaLiga appearance, coming in the 3-1 victory over Sevilla, when fitness problems affecting Joan García opened the door for an opportunity.
Since then, the Croatian international has been forced to settle for a secondary role.
The situation has become even more complicated due to García's impressive performances, including another strong display in Barcelona's recent victory over Atlético de Madrid.
For Livaković, securing regular minutes appears increasingly difficult as long as his teammate maintains that level of performance.
Livaković Returns to Croatia's Starting Lineup Against England
Bilić's concerns are understandable, considering that Livaković has been an important figure for Croatia for nearly a decade.
The goalkeeper has represented the national team since 2017 and has participated in three editions of the FIFA World Cup: 2018, 2022, and 2026.
He also played a crucial role in Croatia's historic third-place finish at Qatar 2022, where his performances in penalty shootouts proved decisive.
His experience includes successful spells with Dinamo Zagreb and Fenerbahçe, clubs where he accumulated significant playing time and won trophies before moving to Spain.
Interestingly, Slaven Bilić's comments came just days before Livaković returned to the international spotlight.
On Thursday, November 12, the goalkeeper started against England at Wembley as Croatia suffered a 2-1 defeat in the UEFA Nations League.
The manager's decision demonstrates that, despite his lack of minutes at Barcelona, the goalkeeper still enjoys the coaching staff's confidence and retains his place in the starting lineup.
However, his appearance against the Three Lions does not eliminate the uncertainty surrounding his future.
At 31 years old, Livaković needs to regain regular playing time at club level to remain one of Bilić's leading options, especially with competition from Dominik Kotarski and Ivor Pandur.
Barcelona are under no obligation to change their plans, but the Croatian goalkeeper's situation could become an important issue in the coming months.
Livaković arrived in Catalonia looking for a new challenge in his career. Now, he must prove that he can still compete for a place in Barcelona's goal while maintaining his importance to Croatia.
Key Takeaways From Dominik Livaković's Situation
- Slaven Bilić expressed concern about Dominik Livaković's lack of playing time at Barcelona, although the goalkeeper remains part of his plans for Croatia.
- Livaković started against England at Wembley on Thursday during Croatia's 2-1 defeat in the UEFA Nations League, despite his limited appearances for the Catalan club.
- Joan García remains Hansi Flick's first-choice goalkeeper, while Livaković, who is under contract until 2030, is looking to regain regular playing time and maintain his international role.
Dominik Livaković
Croatia
