Barcelona’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Benfica in the Champions League left many with mixed feelings, especially after conceding four goals in the first 70 minutes. While the team’s comeback secured direct qualification to the last 16, the performance in the early stages, particularly in defense, raised significant concerns. One player who was heavily criticized for his role in the poor defensive showing was goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, whose mistakes contributed to the goals conceded.
Szczesny’s performance was disastrous; he gave away a penalty and made another costly error when rushing out of his goal and misjudging a clearance. This followed a disappointing display in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid, where Szczesny was sent off with a straight red card. These consecutive blunders have led to a strong backlash from both fans and teammates.
The criticism from within the Barcelona squad has been particularly harsh, with several players, including Raphinha and Dani Olmo, reportedly demanding that coach Hansi Flick exclude Szczesny from the starting lineup. Both players believe that Iñaki Peña, who has been in excellent form this season, deserves the starting position. Peña’s performances have shown him to be reliable and deserving of continued trust in goal, while Szczesny’s errors have shaken confidence in his ability.
As a result of the growing discontent within the dressing room, Szczesny’s future at Barcelona looks increasingly uncertain. The club could look to part ways with the Polish goalkeeper in the upcoming transfer windows, potentially leading to his departure at the end of the season. The situation has undoubtedly left the goalkeeper’s confidence at a low point, and it appears that Iñaki Peña is now set to be the undisputed starter for Barcelona in the coming fixtures.
With Flick and the squad backing Peña, Szczesny’s days at Camp Nou appear numbered, and the club will look to move forward with their more consistent and reliable goalkeeper in charge.
