FC Barcelona raised a few eyebrows bringing Wojciech Szczesny out of retirement when Marc-Andre ter Stegen was ruled out for the season. Coach Hansi Flick raised even more doubts naming him the No. 1 over Iñaki Pena in January, but that faith is paying dividends as Szczesny turned in a masterful performance last night in Lisbon helping FC Barcelona to a 1-0 win over Benfica.
When Pau Cubarsi was sent off in the 22nd minute last night things looked bleak for Barca, but Szczesny made 8 saves, controlled his box, kept a clean sheet, and erased any doubts Barca supporters still held.
Szczesny was retired and sitting on a beach smoking cigarettes when Barca called in late September. Signed on October 2, he backed up Pena for 3 months regaining his fitness and settling into life in Barcelona. Although his quality was clear in training, he didn´t play a match until January 4th, a 4-0 Copa del Rey win at lowly Barbastro.
Then Flick turned to him at the start of the year and doubts ensued, but Szczesny has responded with 8 clean sheets in 14 matches and FC Barcelona hasn´t lost once with him in goal. Sure there´s been a few mishaps-the red card against Real Madrid in the Super Cup, the clumsy collision that almost ended the life of Alejandro Balde, and more recently conceding 4 goals against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey. But his experience has proven invaluable in a young team in need of veteran leadership.
Don´t forget this man played 6 seasons at Arsenal, 2 at Roma and 7 at Juventus before retiring. He played in 13 consecutive Champions League seasons, racking up 79 matches, along with 3 Serie A titles with Juventus, 2 FA Cups with Arsenal, and the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019/2020. He also played 84 times for Poland, including 2 World Cups and 2 European Championships between 2018 and 2024.
Flick knew the experience he would bring to his young team and now those who questioned his decision are eating their words and Szczesny has led Barcelona to the brink of the Champions League quarterfinals, the Copa del Rey semifinals, and the La Liga lead.
And for a man who was once suspended and fined for smoking in the Arsenal changing room, you can be sure Flick had a pack of Lucky Strikes waiting for him last night after the match in Lisbon.