Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League wasn’t just about survival—it was a Wojciech Szczesny masterclass.
The Polish veteran pulled off eight crucial saves a record for any Barcelona goalkeeper in a single Champions League game since at least the 2003/04 season keeping Barca alive despite going down to 10 men early. Now, Hansi Flick has made it clear: Szczesny is the man between the sticks.
Flick’s Verdict: Szczesny is No. 1 for a Reason
“It’s his job,” Flick said after the match. “The other 10 players defended well, but he helped us a lot. That’s why he’s number one.”
No fluff. No hesitation. Flick knows a top goalkeeper when he sees one.
He didn’t just bring Szczesny out of retirement for backup duty—he saw a player still capable of dominating at the highest level. And the stats back it up. With eight clean sheets in 14 games, Szczesny is proving age is just a number.
What This Means for Iñaki Peña
Szczesny’s rise has a downside—Inaki Pena’s future now hangs in the balance. Once Marc-André ter Stegen’s understudy, Pena has slipped to third choice. That’s a brutal spot for a 25-year-old with ambitions.
Galatasaray is circling, seeing him as the heir to Fernando Muslera. And let’s be real—Pena needs game time.
If Szczesny stays beyond this season and Ter Stegen returns, Pena’s chances of playing at Barcelona become slimmer than ever.
The Bigger Picture: Should Barcelona Keep Szczesny?
Flick’s faith in Szczesny is understandable. He’s experienced, calm under pressure, and clearly thriving, having won five of his first five games as a starter, the only goalkeeper in the five major leagues to do so. But should Barcelona keep him long-term?
Ter Stegen will be back once fit, so perhaps keeping a high-profile veteran as a backup isn’t the smartest financial move.
If Barca wants to build for the future, Pena should be the one getting minutes. If they want guaranteed reliability, Szczesny is the safer bet.
Final thoughts
Hansi Flick has a decision to make. Szczesny has been a rock, 14 games across all competitions this season, but is he a long-term solution or just a stopgap?
And for Pena, how long can he wait? Galatasaray is knocking; it’s big career decision time.
What do you think—should Barca commit to Szczesny or is it time to back Pena? Let us know.
