FC Barcelona are having fun with a powerful end to the 2024–25 season, competing on all fronts. However with Marc-André ter Stegen nearing the tip 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 in opposition to Borussia Dortmund.
Ter Stegen has been sidelined since struggling a whole 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 group’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 essentially 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 severe harm. In case you 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 in opposition to Villarreal, and now the ultimate determination falls to go coach Hansi Flick. After initially backing Iñaki Peña, Flick turned to Szczesny following inside conflicts earlier this 12 months—making the Polish keeper his go-to alternative.
With each goalkeepers desirous to compete, Flick addressed the scenario 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 group, and that our group of goalkeepers get alongside very nicely. They help one another on daily basis, and that helps every of them enhance always, 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.
