Szczęsny Ready to Step Aside for Ter Stegen’s Return

BARCELONA, Spain — Wojciech Szczęsny, the 34-year-old goalkeeper for FC Barcelona, stated on Monday that he is prepared to be benched if Marc-André ter Stegen returns to full fitness. Szczęsny made the remarks ahead of Barcelona’s upcoming match in Germany, where the team holds a 4-0 lead against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

Szczęsny joined Barcelona last October after Ter Stegen sustained a knee injury during a LaLiga match. Initially expected to miss the entire season, Ter Stegen has returned to training earlier than anticipated, leaving the final decision about the starting goalkeeper up to the management.

“Look, I am here this season to replace Marc,” Szczęsny said at a press conference. “If Marc is back and fit, and the coach decides he’s back in goal, I am fine with it. But I want to play. There’s no competition right now; Marc is just coming back to training.”

Barcelona’s performance has improved significantly since Szczęsny took over as the starting keeper in January, with the team currently on a 24-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. Szczęsny has yet to experience a defeat in his 22 appearances for Barça.

Despite his success, Szczęsny’s current contract expires this summer, although reports indicate he may extend his stay. “I want to focus on playing the best football I can,” he remarked. “I don’t want to lose energy on contract negotiations. I want to win every trophy in front of us and leave the contract talks to the club and my agent.”

Barcelona recently secured the Spanish Supercopa and is four points clear in LaLiga. With the potential for three additional trophies this season, Szczęsny expressed excitement over the team’s recent performance. “I like the winning,” he said. “I missed that feeling. I want to win big trophies.”

However, Barcelona will face challenges, including the absence of left-back Jordi Alba, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Manager Xavi Hernández stressed the importance of maintaining focus. “We always want to be at our best,” he stated. “It’s our duty to show that every game matters, especially against a strong team like Dortmund.”

As Barcelona prepares for the match in Germany, Szczęsny is optimistic about the club’s trajectory. “This year takes me closer than ever to my dream of winning this competition,” he said. “I want to focus on the last few weeks of the season to achieve something very special.”