Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
The goalkeeper debate at Barcelona was formally settled this Sunday: Hansi Flick selected Wojciech Szczesny over Inaki Pena within the La Liga match in opposition to Valencia, signalling a transparent shift in philosophy beneath the posts.
Beginning in 2025, it appeared that Flick had opted to make use of Pena within the league whereas the veteran Polish keeper had been utilized in different tournaments. However, on Sunday it was Szczesny who acquired the nod over the La Masia graduate.
Flick bets on Szczesny over Pena
Now, based on AS, the choice to go along with Szczesny forward of Pena was made by Flick himself.
In truth, goalkeeper coach Jose Ramón de la Fuente was extra inclined to maintain Pena because the La Liga starter. Nevertheless, the German tactician opted to go forward with Szczesny, who has received each recreation he has performed.
Flick has made his resolution on the goalkeeping state of affairs. (Photograph by Angel Martinez/Getty Photos)
Simply minutes earlier than the match, the Barça coach defined that one of many causes he picked Szczesny was as a result of he had “received” each recreation to date.
It’s value remembering that Szczesny made his debut within the Copa del Rey in opposition to Barbastro (0-4) in early 2025.
Then got here the Spanish Tremendous Cup, the place Pena was initially going to begin, however an incident – arriving late to coaching – saved him out of the semifinals in opposition to Athletic Membership (0-2) and the ultimate in opposition to Actual Madrid (2-5), the place Pena ended up taking part in after Szczesny’s purple card.
Within the Copa del Rey match vs. Betis (5-1), Pena took over because of Szczesny’s suspension, and he began as soon as once more vs. Getafe (1-1) in La Liga.
Nevertheless, it was in opposition to Benfica in Lisbon (4-5) when Flick started to disclose his plans, opting as soon as once more for Szczesny. Regardless of two obvious errors that led to targets, he redeemed himself with a vital save in opposition to Angel Di María within the dying moments.
Nevertheless it wasn’t till this Sunday that the goalkeeper swap was made official, with Szczesny beginning in La Liga forward of Pena, with the veteran now seemingly the first-choice between the sticks.
