Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has taken a firm call on the club’s goalkeeping crisis, opting to stick with Wojciech Szczesny as his first-choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the season despite Marc-André ter Stegen’s return from injury hanging over the horizon.
According to Diario Sport reports, the German manager has no plans to alter his settled pecking order, trusting the Polish international who arrived at the club on loan from Juventus over the summer.
This means that Szczesny will be carrying on guarding Barcelona’s goal in all big games, such as the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid and Champions League matches, even if club captain Ter Stegen receives medical clearance in the coming weeks.
Flick’s decision comes after careful evaluation of both keepers’ situations.
While Ter Stegen has been Barcelona’s undisputed number one for nearly a decade, his prolonged absence due to a back injury and Szczesny’s consistent performances have solidified the latter’s position.
The 35-year-old shot-stopper has impressed with his command of the penalty area and crucial saves in big matches, earning the manager’s trust despite the team’s recent 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in Europe.
This vote of confidence suggests Hansi Flick values stability and rewarding current form over sentimental considerations as Barcelona enter the decisive phase of their season.
The circumstances are a precarious balancing act for Hansi Flick as far as the reintegration of Ter Stegen is concerned.
Ter Stegen has been professional about the situation, according to club sources, realizing the challenge of recapturing the starting role with such a length of time sidelined, the club officials say.
This goalkeeping dilemma is an intriguing subplot to the climax of Barcelona’s season.
Szczesny can now cement his legacy at Camp Nou by delivering silverware, with Ter Stegen patiently waiting in the wings for his chance to take back the gloves.
The move also says much about how the new manager evaluates and rewards the performance of the players, a significant precedent for his time at the Catalan club.
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