At 34 years old, Wojciech Szczesny plays his first game for Barcelona in Barbastro. The Polish goalkeeper, who was retired and put on his gloves again to sign for Barça in October due to Ter Stegen’s injury, had never yet defended the Blaugrana goal. Until the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, the first tie that Flick’s team plays in. The German coach has decided that the time has come to give him the alternative.
The former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper will have to face the forwards of Barbastro, a Second RFEF team, but also the inactivity of several months. His last game was with the national team in the last Euro Cup, against Austria, on June 21.
Three months training
Szczesny’s last game, who retired and returned due to Ter Stegen’s injury, was in the last Euro Cup on June 21
He is not the only player in Barça’s starting eleven who has not played an official match for a long time. In a similar situation but for a different reason (injury) is Ronald Araújo, whose last game was in the Copa América in July when he was injured playing for Uruguay. The central defender, who even underwent surgery, reappears this afternoon in Barbastro.
Despite the difference of three categories with the rival, Flick is not confident and has resorted to four of his regulars in the lineups in the first part of the season: Koundé, Iñigo Martínez in defense, Pedri in midfield and Lewandowski in the front.
With Olmo and Pau Víctor unregistered
Fermín and Pablo Torre accompany Lewandowski and leave Ansu Fati on the bench
The number nine already scored, from a penalty, in the 2-3 draw last season. He is accompanied in the attack by Fermín, who also scored in the January 2024 match, and Pablo Torre. Neither of the two young people are points forwards but, given the withdrawal of Olmo and Pau Víctor, they have won the game over Ansu Fati, who remains on the bench along with the youth Toni Fernández, who aspires to debut with the first team.
Barça’s lineup against Barbastro is made up of Szczesny, Koundé, Araújo, Iñigo Martínez, Gerard Martín, Eric Garcia, Pedri, De Jong, Pablo Torres, Fermín and Lewandowski.
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