Bayer Leverkusen’s Aleix Garcia: “I will fight to play more games.”

Aleix Garcia has played in 15 of Bayer Leverkusen’s 17 games across all competitions this season but the Spaniard has started in just eight of those – something that the 27-year-old is finding difficult.

“It’s not enough for me,” Garcia told kicker. “I come from Girona where I played every single game. It’s difficult for me to play a game after spending a few games on the bench.”

Although featuring in eight of Bayer’s 10 Bundesliga games this season, Garcia has started just two of those, against RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg.

After being called up the Spain squad for their UEFA Nations League games in September and October, Garcia wasn’t nominated for La Roja’s November squad, due to fewer minutes in Germany.

“Maybe that’s why the coaches decided to call up other players,” added Garcia. “Sometimes you can’t do everything.”

Aleix Garcia wants to fight for his place

But Garcia isn’t deterred by his lack of minutes. The Spanish midfielder finds himself against Granit Xhaka, Robert Andrich and Exequiel Palacios in central-midfield but against Liverpool in the Champions League, operated in a more attacking role alongside Florian Wirtz.

Ready to fight for his place, Garcia added: “All the players are in the same situation, but it’s the coach’s decision and we have to accept it. It’s definitely a tough moment for me, but I will fight to play more games.”

GGFN | Daniel Pinder