Barcelona’s Goalkeeping Battle Heats Up as Flick Shifts Stance

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has opened the door to a potential shift in the club’s goalkeeping hierarchy, as Wojciech Szczesny continues to impress in Marc-Andre ter Stegen‘s absence. With the Blaugrana preparing for their Copa del Rey clash, Flick’s recent comments suggest a possible challenge to ter Stegen’s long-held No. 1 spot.

Flick, who has started Szczesny in the last three matches against Barbastro, Athletic Club, and in the Copa and Supercup, praised the Polish goalkeeper’s recent performances. “We have seen Tek [Szczesny] perform very well, it is something nice to see,” Flick said. “After the break, he returned and has given everything in training. He has an incredible mentality and helps everyone a lot, also the goalkeepers. He can play at this level.”

The German coach also highlighted the resilience of backup goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who has faced criticism but showed mental strength in recent outings. “I can talk about Inaki too, who was under pressure, he conceded a goal on the first shot, but he was very solid and recovered well. So that speaks to his mental strength,” Flick added.

Flick’s comments mark a notable shift from his stance in 2024, when he consistently affirmed Pena as the No. 1 choice in ter Stegen’s absence. The change in tone could be a strategic move to boost Szczesny’s confidence following his red card earlier in the season or to foster healthy competition between the goalkeepers.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde‘s standout performance in the Spanish Super Cup has reignited discussions about his potential return to the Spain national team. The young defender has been a bright spot for Barcelona during a challenging season.

As the season progresses, Flick remains focused on the present, avoiding speculation about his future. “I haven’t thought about it,” he said when asked about a potential contract extension. “In football, things move very quickly and can change a lot. At the end of the season, we will see. I like working here at Barca and with this team. I have a contract of one and a half years, and it is a lot for a coach.”