Barcelona, Spain – The debate surrounding the FC Barcelona goalkeeping position is heating up as Marc-André ter Stegen nears recovery from injury. The German goalkeeper is expected to return by the end of April, adding pressure on coach Hansi Flick to decide who will be the starting keeper for the final stretch of the season.
Ter Stegen suffered a significant knee injury last September during a match against Villarreal, prompting Barcelona to bring in Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who had been out of active play. Initially, Szczesny struggled with his rhythm but gradually became a key player in Flick’s lineup as he found his form.
However, Szczesny’s performance took a hit during today’s match against Celta de Vigo, where he was responsible for conceding a goal in the 16th minute. The incident occurred when Szczesny failed to cover a cross in time, allowing Borja Iglesias to score, resulting in a tie at halftime. Despite the blunder, Szczesny redeemed himself with a spectacular double save shortly before the break, showcasing his potential.
The upcoming return of Ter Stegen raises questions about the future of the goalkeeping position at Barcelona, especially as the team aims for a treble this season. During a discussion on Carrusel Deportivo, opinions about who should be the starting goalkeeper were mixed. Jorge Escorial posed the question, and there was a consensus that Szczesny should finish the season as the starter. Bruno Alemany, while expressing some affection for Szczesny, acknowledged the ongoing debate.
“If he is fit, Ter Stegen should be number one,” remarked Lluis Flaquer, pointing to the competitive edge expected from Barcelona’s first-choice keeper. Interestingly, this situation mirrors that of Real Madrid last season with the injury of Thibaut Courtois, who regained his position just before the UEFA Champions League final.
Alemany noted a key difference, stating, “Szczesny is better than Lunin,” referring to the goalkeeping dynamics at Real Madrid then. As it stands, it appears likely that Szczesny will close out the season as the starting goalkeeper, with the goalkeeping dilemma potentially extending into the next season.
