Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed Tuesday that goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will remain the starter for the club's upcoming matches against Inter Milan in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga. The decision comes despite the recent return of first-choice keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen from a lengthy injury absence.
Szczesny, 35, came out of retirement earlier this season to join Barcelona after Ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury. The Poland international signed a contract running until the end of the season.
The veteran goalkeeper quickly established himself as the team's primary option in net, playing every match since January. This followed a period where academy product Inaki Pena deputized after Ter Stegen's injury Inaki Pena's issues.
Ter Stegen, 32, made his return to the starting lineup for the first time in eight months during Barcelona's La Liga game against Real Valladolid on Saturday Ter Stegen start. He had been sidelined since September after undergoing surgery for a complete rupture in his patella tendon.
Flick stated that Ter Stegen had returned to training in March and was progressing well, training "fantastically" at a good level.
However, the coach indicated he would handle Ter Stegen's full return to regular action gradually.
Flick confirmed that Szczesny would start Tuesday's crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Inter Milan and the highly anticipated La Liga match against Real Madrid on May 11 Flick confirmation.
Barcelona holds a four-point lead over Real Madrid in the La Liga standings as the season nears its conclusion.
"Szczesny will start both in the Champions League against Inter, and then against Real Madrid," Flick said. "That's the plan."
