Hansi Flick Shocks Fans with Wojciech Szczęsny’s Start in Supercopa Semifinal

FC Barcelona‘s head coach Hansi Flick made a surprising decision ahead of the Supercopa de España semifinal against Athletic Bilbao, opting to start Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny over the expected choice, Iñaki Peña. The match, set to take place on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will see Szczęsny in goal due to Peña’s late arrival to a team meeting.

According to Spanish media reports, Peña, who has been Flick’s trusted goalkeeper, was late by a few minutes for a pre-match briefing. This minor infraction led Flick to bench the Spaniard in favor of Szczęsny, who recently made his debut for Barcelona in a Copa del Rey match against fourth-tier UD Barbastro. Despite not conceding in that game, Szczęsny’s inclusion in the starting lineup for such a high-stakes match has raised eyebrows.

Flick’s decision marks a significant shift in the team’s hierarchy, as Szczęsny, a 34-year-old veteran, now has the opportunity to prove himself in a crucial fixture. The Polish goalkeeper’s performance could determine his future role in the squad, especially if he delivers a strong showing against Athletic Bilbao.

Aside from Szczęsny, Flick’s lineup features several key players, including Robert Lewandowski, who will lead the attack alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. The defensive line will consist of Jules Kounde, Iñigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde, while the midfield will be anchored by Gavi, Pedri, and Marc Casado.

The Supercopa de España, traditionally held in Spain, has been moved to Saudi Arabia as part of a multi-year agreement to promote football in the region. The tournament features four teams: FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid, and Mallorca. The winner of the Barcelona-Bilbao clash will face the victor of the Real Madrid-Mallorca semifinal in the final.

Fans can catch the live broadcast of the match on Przegląd Sportowy Onet, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM local time. The game promises to be a thrilling encounter as Barcelona aims to secure a spot in the final and continue their pursuit of silverware under Flick’s leadership.