Barcelona has signed former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on a free transfer, as he comes out of retirement to temporarily replace injured captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Although Szczesny’s signing was confirmed and he was registered with the team earlier this week, he will not be part of the squad for the upcoming La Liga match against Alaves. Coach Hansi Flick announced a 21-player roster, including goalkeepers Ander Astralaga, Aron Yaakobishvili, and current starter Inaki Pena.
In his pre-match press conference, Flick stated, “[Szczesny] is in excellent condition, but he won’t travel to Vitoria. I believe he needs more time to acclimate, and he’ll be ready after the break.
“His experience, character, and quality make him a valuable addition to the club. When I spoke to him, he was very approachable and eager to help in any way. I was really impressed, and I believe he will contribute significantly to the team.”
