Sport newspaper revealed that Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is planning a “pleasant surprise” for the Catalan club’s fans in the match against Real Valladolid, scheduled for Saturday in the 34th round of the Spanish League.
This surprise is the participation of goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen in the starting lineup after a long absence that extended back to last September due to a torn cruciate ligament.
The German goalkeeper recovered from his injury throughout April and returned to training with the group in recent days. Flick saw the match against Real Valladolid as an ideal opportunity to include him and give him the opportunity to regain his form.
Real Valladolid has officially secured relegation to the Spanish second division, and according to Flick, given the surrounding circumstances and the need to rest Barça’s stars before the upcoming match against Inter, it is the right time to bring Ter Stegen back.
At the same time, even if Ter Stegen shines in the domestic matches he will play until the end of the season, there is no intention of relying on him for any Champions League matches. Szczesny will remain Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.
Barcelona will host Inter at the San Siro next Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals, following a 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Estadio Olimpico Luis Companys, a match marked by disastrous errors from Szczesny.
Despite everything, Flick maintains absolute confidence in Szczesny to complete this season. However, starting next season, his chances of playing will be 50-50, and he will compete with Ter Stegen for the starting spot, while Iñaki Peña is expected to leave next summer.
It’s worth noting that Szczesny has renewed his contract with Barcelona for another year, and the Catalan club’s management is very pleased with his development and positive influence in the dressing room. It’s not unlikely that he will be the team’s first-choice goalkeeper next season, provided he can outperform Ter Stegen in the competition.
