End of the debate in Barcelona's goal: Szczesny is "the number one"

Wojciech Szczesny will continue to be the starting goalkeeper for FC Barcelona until further notice. This was made clear by Hansi Flick in the press conference before the match against Alavés (Sunday 2, at 14:00 CEST), a match where the Pole will be in the azulgrana lineup for the fourth consecutive time. The 34-year-old goalkeeper has conceded 8 goals in his 6 appearances, with a red card in the Supercopa and a penalty committed in the Champions League.

Despite this, the coach has no doubts about his role in the team. "For now, it is as it is, he is the number one", commented the azulgrana coach referring to the Pole. Iñaki was the undisputed starter throughout the first half of the season, but everything changed since the Alicante player's delay to the training before the 'semis' of the Supercopa de España against Athletic. Szczesny had been the starter against Barbastro (0-4) and was again in the XI against the Basques. In both matches, the Warsaw native kept his goal clean.

Since then, Peña has only been able to play the last half hour of the Supercopa final, along with the matches against Betis (5-1) and Getafe (1-1), due to Wojciech's two-match suspension. The '25' reappeared in the Champions League against Benfica, conceding 4 goals on a very tough night. Afterwards, he also couldn't prevent his goal from falling against Valencia (7-1) and Atalanta (2-2), although Barça has managed to remain unbeaten with the Pole on the field.

Kochen will accompany Iñaki on the bench against Alavés

With that said, Iñaki will return to the bench against Alavés, a match where Diego Kochen will also be present. The 18-year-old goalkeeper will replace the injured Ander Astralaga in the azulgrana squad, as the player from Berango will be out for about 3 weeks due to a tendon injury. The youth player Iker Rodríguez (16 years old) joined the training sessions on Friday and Saturday, but it will be Kochen who completes the list for the clash against the 'blanquiazul' team. On Thursday, in the Copa quarter-finals, it is likely that Flick's plan in goal will be identical. Szczesny will remain in the XI, as long as he does not make serious mistakes or any disciplinary 'sins'.