BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 26: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Barcelona and Stade Brestois 29 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 26, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

‘One of the best signings’… Hansi Flick remains full of praise for Barcelona veteran ahead of UCL clash

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

FC Barcelona will be taking on SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League group phase up next. For the Catalan club, following their disastrous run of form in La Liga, this should offer them an entirely new opportunity to improve. However, it seems that Barcelona coach Hansi Flick may have some issues to address first.

One of the most glaring questions is still the uncertainty over which goalkeeper will represent Barcelona in the Champions League. Previously, it was Inaki Pena who was getting the most out of every single opportunity that came his way, but it seems now that Wojciech Szczesny has made a good case for himself as well.

Since the start of 2025, both the Polish goalkeeper and the Spaniard have divided minutes between them across various competitions. Now, however, it could end up being the Pole who represents Barcelona in the Champions League.

Ahead of the match, as pointed out by SPORT, Hansi Flick was full of praise for the 34-year-old goalkeeper as he discussed which player would start for the team in goal tomorrow:

“We’ll see tomorrow. I said the situation has changed a lot because we saw that Tek is capable of playing, as he did in the Supercup. His personality is incredible, he’s a champion, I really like how he is on the field and how he presents himself. Tomorrow we’ll see who plays. We’ve talked about it, but I can’t say anything yet.”

He went on even further, calling him ‘one of the best signings’ that the club has made:

“(He is) one of the best signings we’ve made… Not only for his way of playing but also for his support of the players. It’s amazing to see him and how he shares his experience with the younger players.”

This just goes on to show how much impact the new goalkeeper has had on the team despite coming mid-season and having barely played across the campaign. Still, with his undoubted quality and experience, he is a great addition to the squad nonetheless.

Moreover, in the Champions League, experience can end up going a long way. Against Benfica, for instance, the club will be looking for victory and will likely trust Szczesny to be the man to stop any dangerous attacks that are generated by the Portuguese side.

Tags Barcelona UCL Barcelona vs SL Benfica Inaki Pena Wojciech Szczesny