Flick Confirms Szczesny as Barcelona's Starting Goalkeeper for Champions League, El Clasico

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny will start as goalkeeper for both the upcoming Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan and the 'El Clasico' against Real Madrid, despite Marc-André ter Stegen’s strong performance in his return from injury during the recent victory over Real Valladolid. Flick emphasized that while Ter Stegen showed his quality in the second half, the plan remains for Szczesny to play in these decisive matches, citing his trust in the Polish keeper’s consistent performances. The decision comes as Barcelona managed player rotations heavily against Valladolid, making nine changes to the lineup to mitigate fatigue ahead of a crucial week. Flick also expressed satisfaction with the squad’s resilience and highlighted the contributions of younger players such as Raphinha and Fermin Lopez. While Ter Stegen’s return is seen as a boost for the squad’s depth, Flick’s priority is stability and readiness for high-stakes fixtures. The coach praised the team for securing vital points and maintaining their lead at the top of La Liga.