Hansi Flick surprises by choosing goalkeeper for the Clásico against Real Madrid

FC Barcelona will face el Clásico against Real Madrid with Wojciech Szczesny as the starting goalkeeper, a decision confirmed by coach Hansi Flick despite the recent return of Marc-André ter Stegen, who started in the last LaLiga match against Real Valladolid.

Szczesny, Flick's bet for the duel against Madrid

Hansi Flick has cleared any doubts in the run-up to the Clásico: Szczesny will be the starting goalkeeper in Montjuïc. The German coach, who has shown full confidence in the Polish goalkeeper throughout the season, maintains his bet in the most important match of the final stretch of the championship, despite the fact that Ter Stegen has already overcome his serious knee injury.

“Szczesny will start against Madrid. He has shown a great level and deserves this opportunity in such an important match,” Flick said during the press conference prior to the Clásico.

Ter Stegen's return: starting and good feelings in Valladolid

Marc-André ter Stegen returned to defend the Blaugrana goal last weekend against Valladolid, after 223 days off due to a torn patellar tendon suffered in September. Flick had already announced that the German would start in that match, partly to give him competitive minutes after his recovery, but clarified that the decision did not represent a permanent change in the goal, but a specific exception thinking about the management of the squad and the calendar.

In his return, Ter Stegen conceded an early goal but was key with three decisive saves that allowed Barça to add a vital victory (1-2) in the fight for the title. Flick himself highlighted the great level shown by the German in training and his importance to the team, although he insisted that Szczesny would continue to be the starter for the decisive matches.

Szczesny, consolidated as number one

Since Ter Stegen's injury, Szczesny has played 27 matches this season, including 13 in LaLiga, 7 in the Champions League, 5 in the Copa del Rey and 2 in the Super Cup, with 13 clean sheets and 29 goals conceded. His performance has convinced the coaching staff and the board, who are already working on his renewal for the next season.

A decisive Clásico for the outcome of LaLiga

The choice of Szczesny as starter in el Clásico adds an extra element of interest to a match that could decide the fate of the championship. FC Barcelona arrives in Montjuïc with low morale after their elimination in the semi-finals of the Champions League against Inter Milan, but with the conviction of closing LaLiga, since a victory against the white team would be more than a sentence in favor of the Blaugrana who would escape to 7 points with only 9 pending to play.

Szczesny, key in Barcelona's victory against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final

The Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny played a fundamental role in the recent victory of FC Barcelona against their eternal rival, Real Madrid, in the exciting final of the Copa del Rey played on April 26, 2025. In a match that extended into extra time, Barcelona won the title with a score of 3-2, and Szczęsny's performance under the three sticks was decisive in securing the victory.

Playing all 120 minutes of the intense match, Szczęsny demonstrated his quality and experience in a high-tension Clásico. His interventions were crucial in key moments of the match, frustrating several goalscoring opportunities for Real Madrid and transmitting security to the Blaugrana defense. Although he conceded two goals, he managed to maintain concentration and make important saves that contributed to keeping Barcelona in the fight for the title until the final whistle.

This victory in the Copa del Rey final marks Szczęsny's first match against Real Madrid as FC Barcelona goalkeeper, leaving a positive balance in this important Clásico of Spanish football. His performance in this crucial match reinforces the confidence of the fans and the coaching staff in his ability to defend the Blaugrana goal on the big stages.

Szczęsny's Performance vs. Real Madrid with FC Barcelona:

• Match: Copa del Rey Final (April 26, 2025)

• Result: FC Barcelona 3 - 2 Real Madrid (extra time)

• Szczęsny's Performance: Starting goalkeeper, played all 120 minutes. Victory.

With this outstanding performance, Szczęsny consolidates himself as an important piece in the FC Barcelona scheme and adds a new chapter to his career facing Real Madrid.