Szczesny Hunts for his First Champions League Trophy

Wojciech Szczesny is open to extending his stay at Barcelona after a fantastic start to 2025. If he continues to deliver in this crucial phase of the season, it could be a trophy-laden campaign for the Blaugrana. 

Szczensy struggled to establish himself in the squad initially, but he has earned Hansi Flick’s trust in a string of good performances. 

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

Stats Show That Szczesny is an Improvement on Peña 

Wojciech Szczesny was enjoying his retirement when the season began but he answered Barcelona’s call in October. The Blaugrana were forced into action when Marc-Andre Ter Stegen picked up a serious injury. However, Wojciech was initially used as backup. Iñaki Peña was above Szczesny in the pecking order until the turn of the year but now the former Poland international is Hansi Flick’s first choice. 

Szczesny had to wait until January 4th for his first game in a Barcelona shirt. It came in the 4-0 win over Union Deportiva Barbastro in the Copa Del Rey. Since then, he has been absent from the Barca net for just one competitive fixture, highlighting the faith that Flick has shown in him. Wojciech has repaid that faith by putting in some fantastic displays. The best of which came in the 1-0 first leg win against Benfica in the Champions League. He made eight saves in that game, and the underlying data suggests he prevented 1.18 goals. Szczesny also attempted 48 passes, the third most in the Barca starting 11. His ability to help his team play through pressure and hang onto the ball as well as keep the opposition out was key. Flick will have been thankful that he moved Szczesny over Peña in the pecking order.

Peña was initially dropped for the team after allegedly missing a team meeting, opening the door for Wojciech, but the data shows that Flick is right to continue to opt for Szczesny in the Barcelona net. Wojciech boasts a save percentage of 83.3%, far greater than Peña’s 65.5%. The underlying data also paints a pretty picture for the Pole. He has a goals prevented of 0.99. Iñaki, on the other hand, has let in 1.32 more than the numbers suggest he should have.

With Szczensy looking back to his best, now is the time to back Hansi Flick’s team to keep clean sheets. He has now kept six clean sheets in his last nine competitive matches. Barcelona faces a tough test against Atletico Madrid in La Liga at the weekend, but they have an additional day to prepare for the clash thanks to the Madrid Derby, which takes place on Wednesday night. The Blaugrana have also kept a clean sheet in their last two away games against Diego Simeone’s side. 

Szczesny Can Help the Blaugrana End Their Champions League Wait

Clinching the Spanish title ahead of Real Madrid would be a huge success for Barcelona, but it is the Champions League that has been the obsession for the club in recent years. Lionel Messi promised the team would do all it can to ensure the trophy returned to the Camp Nou back in August 2018. Since then, the Blaugrana have had to watch Real lift the famous trophy on two occasions but this could be Barca’s year. 

Hansi Flick has turned Barcelona’s forward line into one of the most menacing in Europe. They have scored an average of 3.2 goals per game in the Champions League, more than any other team in the competition. The Blaugrana are also the most prolific team in La Liga, netting 2.73 goals per game, 0.62 more than Real Madrid.

BETSiE ranks Barcelona as one of the favourites to win the competition as can bee seen in the table below.

Flick’s attack benefits from an extremely high defensive line that enables the team to win the ball further forward. Confidence in the keeper to sweep up behind that line and make crucial saves is vital. The Barcelona number one is also required to be involved in the build-up. Szczesny will have to be at his very best if he is to get his hands on the Champions League for the first time but the recent signs are that the keeper is up to the challenge.  Wojciech has a passing accuracy of 87.6%. He also averages 1.95 defensive actions outside of the penalty area per 90 minutes played, meaning he ranks in the 95th percentile compared with all other goalkeepers across Europe’s top five leagues in the past 12 months.  

Can Barcelona clinch the biggest prize in European football once again with the help of a goalkeeper who was retired at the start of the season? The bookmakers and the data suggest they have a very good chance. 

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