Wojciech Szczesny’s efficiency towards Atalanta mirrored his struggles in earlier matches with Barcelona, together with video games towards Barbastro, Athletic Membership, Actual Madrid, Benfica, and Valencia.
Like earlier than, Szczesny couldn’t do a lot to stop Ederson’s purpose that equalized the scoreline and couldn’t be blamed for the 2-2 both.
Nonetheless, it’s fairly clear that his efficiency left room for enchancment, notably in his hesitancy with the ball. Regardless of already having performed six matches, Szczesny nonetheless appeared to be adjusting and struggling to seek out his rhythm.
A have a look at the statistics
Inaki Pena has a greater save proportion than Szczesny. (Photograph by Lars Baron/Getty Photos)
Taking a look at his statistics, issues don’t get any higher for the Polish goalkeeper. Within the 20 photographs he’s confronted to this point, eight have resulted in objectives, giving him a save proportion of simply 60%. This determine falls behind each Inaki Pena’s 62.69% and Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s 69.57%.
His historical past in Barcelona has been rocky as nicely. In his debut towards Barbastro, he had no main work to do however left doubts concerning his decision-making in exits throughout the Tremendous Cup semi-final towards Athletic Membership.
Within the Spanish Tremendous Cup last in Jeddah towards Actual Madrid, Szczesny’s purple card left the crew uncovered, however Barcelona managed to stroll out 5-2 victorious.
Poor performances have adopted
Szczesny has made a number of errors resulting in the purpose. (Photograph by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Photos)
Then, there was the disastrous efficiency in Lisbon, the place he collided with Alejandro Balde, leading to Vangelis Pavlidis’ purpose. He additionally conceded a penalty and failed to speak successfully with Ronald Araujo, which led to an personal purpose.
In opposition to Valencia, he was fortunate when a penalty he conceded was saved by VAR. His finest second to this point was a superb save from a cross-shot by Angel Di María throughout a chaotic 5-4 win in Lisbon.
Regardless of these points, Hansi Flick has made it clear that Szczesny stays his first-choice goalkeeper, no less than for now. The goalkeeper’s transition again to skilled soccer has been something however simple.
Time to vary?
Szczesny is prone to preserve his place towards Alaves. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photos)
After asserting his retirement in July, he spent three months with none soccer exercise, making it robust for him to achieve his desired stage of efficiency.
Flick, nonetheless, has opted to maintain him within the beginning lineup, maybe hoping that common recreation time will assist him regain his health.
There isn’t any query that Szczesny has been a prime goalkeeper up to now, having had profitable spells at Arsenal and Juventus, and is a revered determine within the dressing room.
Nonetheless, it’s simple that he’s not performing on the identical stage at Barcelona proper now. The important thing query is whether or not that is only a matter of time earlier than he recovers, or if he might by no means return to the extent that made him considered one of Europe’s prime goalkeepers.
For now, Flick has but to have fun a win with Szczesny in purpose, however he has determined to stay with him for the upcoming match towards Alaves.
In the meantime, Pena continues to just accept his function as a backup, doubtless hoping for an opportunity to step in throughout the upcoming Cup match on February 6.