FC Barcelona are having fun with a robust end to the 2024–25 season, competing on all fronts. However with Marc-André ter Stegen nearing the top of his restoration, a brand new debate has emerged: Who ought to begin in aim? Wojciech Szczesny, who has stepped in throughout Ter Stegen’s absence, weighed in on the dialogue forward of the second leg towards Borussia Dortmund.
Ter Stegen has been sidelined since struggling an entire rupture of the patellar tendon in his proper knee in September 2024. Whereas Iñaki Peña was initially given the nod, Szczesny shortly solidified himself because the workforce’s first-choice keeper throughout all competitions.
Now, with Ter Stegen nearing a return—and already expressing his want to play earlier than the season ends—Szczesny was requested who he thinks is the higher possibility. Although some think about him extra skilled, Szczesny took a humble and respectful stance:
“I don’t know if I’m probably the most skilled goalkeeper. Marc has performed on the highest stage for a very long time. He’s already gained the Champions League, which I haven’t. I worth Marc extremely as a goalkeeper,” the Polish goalie said. When requested for a private opinion, Szczesny didn’t hesitate to reward his teammate:
“Evaluating the 2 of us doesn’t make a lot sense as a result of, proper now, I’m absolutely match and he’s simply coming again to coaching after a critical harm. For those who ask for my private opinion, when Marc is absolutely match and at 100%, there aren’t many goalkeepers on the earth who can compete with him,” he said.
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Coach Flick and the goalkeeper place
Ter Stegen final performed for Barca in September 2024 towards Villarreal, and now the ultimate determination falls to go coach Hansi Flick. After initially backing Iñaki Peña, Flick turned to Szczesny following inner conflicts earlier this yr—making the Polish keeper his go-to selection.
With each goalkeepers desperate to compete, Flick addressed the state of affairs in his pre-match press convention: “In soccer, many issues can change in a short time—something can occur—so I can’t reply 100%. What I can say is that he (Szczesny) is essential to the workforce, and that our group of goalkeepers get alongside very properly. They help one another each day, and that helps every of them enhance consistently, which is one thing I actually love,” Flick said.
With a Champions League semifinal doubtlessly on the horizon and La Liga nonetheless in play, the choice in aim might show essential to Barcelona’s trophy hopes.
