
SZCZESNY REDEEMED HIMSELF WITH A GREAT SAVE AT THE END
What will Flick do against Atalanta? Szczesny had more shadows than lights in Lisbon
Published:22/01/2025 - 01:12h
Updated:22/01/2025 - 01:12h
Wojciech Szczesny was undoubtedly one of the protagonists of the incredible Benfica-Barça (4-5). The Pole had a tough night, but he prevented a certain goal from Di María at the end
Hansi Flick will have a lot to think about regarding the starting goalkeeper position for the next Champions League match. Against Benfica (4-5), the coach opted for Wojciech Szczesny, but the Pole had a day with more shadows than lights in which Robert Lewandowski's penalties and Raphinha's brace incredibly saved Barça, in a match that had everything, including a brawl at the end.
The first half was a real torture for the experienced culé goalkeeper. Benfica took the lead in the 2nd minute thanks to a cross from Álvaro Carreras from the right, which Vangelis Pavlidis capitalized on to score easily entering the penalty area, anticipating Pau Cubarsí. Szczesny could do nothing, shot down by the Greek forward. The culés equalized the score thanks to a penalty from Lewandowski in the 13th minute, but Benfica would regain the lead nine minutes later, taking advantage of a poor clearance from '25'.
Wojciech took more risks than necessary, coming out to the halfway line to intercept a long pass, but miscalculated and collided heavily with Alejandro Balde, in an action that could have ended with either of the two culé players injured. To make matters worse, the ball fell to Pavlidis, who went on alone to score into an empty net. The height of misfortune came five minutes later, with a dubious penalty from the Warsaw native on Aktürkoglu, where the culé goalkeeper, in his eagerness to close down the opponent, caused the Greek to fall. Pavlidis took the penalty, completing his 'hat-trick' in the 30th minute.
Penalty in favor of Benfica for this action by Szczęsny on Akturkoglu. #UCL #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/LGxpE7FZPz
— Football on Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) January 21, 2025
Szczesny managed to redeem himself in the second half
The night seemed to end in disaster for Barça when, in the 68th minute, the hosts went ahead 4-2 after an unfortunate own goal by Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan tried to clear a corner from the side of Schjelderup, but he arrived under pressure and the ball ended up surpassing Wojciech. However, the defensive changes by coach Bruno Lage caused Benfica to sit back too early, and Barça, through character and striking, managed to equalize with another penalty from Lewandowski and a great header from Eric García in the 78th and 86th minutes, respectively.
With the score at 4-4 and the match completely broken, the final minutes were an exchange of chances from area to area. In the 89th minute, a counterattack from the Lisbon team allowed Ángel Di María to go alone down the left, but the Pole prevailed in the one-on-one against the Argentine with a save that kept Barça alive. In the last play of the match, the culés completed the epic comeback with Raphinha's second goal.
Szczęsny one-on-one 💪
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 21, 2025
Majecki in inspired form 👏
Trubin stretches high 🙌
Best save❓@QatarAirways | #LetsFly pic.twitter.com/mEIbt30XuQ
Flick downplays the goals conceded by Szczesny
After the match, Hansi Flick spoke about the debate in goal, valuing the team's reaction above the mistakes made in the first half, especially those of the experienced goalkeeper. "Szczesny? What player doesn't make mistakes? It's normal, we win together and lose together. It's not just about one player. He saved us in the second half," the coach pointed out in his talk with 'Movistar+'.
With that said, with the qualification for the Champions League knockout stage in hand, it is very likely that the German coach will keep Wojciech in goal for the last match of the league phase, against Atalanta. On Sunday, against Valencia in La Liga, it will be the turn to see Iñaki Peña back in the culé goal. Both the Pole and the Alicante native have conceded many goals in recent matches, making it clear that there is a need to work much harder on defense to provide less ease at the back.
👏🏼 Hansi Flick defends Szczesny:
— Football on Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) January 21, 2025
"What player doesn't make mistakes? We win together and lose together". #LaCasaDelFútbol #UCL pic.twitter.com/GEBCXZmx2U