The Polish international’sreturn from retirement to join Barcamarked one of the most surprising storylines of the 2024 summer window. The veteran, long admired for his composure and leadership, arrived at a club known for their adherence to possession-based football, a sharp contrast to the styles he mastered in Italy and England. Tasked with adapting to Flick’s aggressive, high-line system, Szczesny faced a steep tactical learning curve. His early months at Barca were defined by self-doubt and visible discomfort with the goalkeeper admitting that he “didn’t fit,” but he managed to play a key role as the Blaugrana went on to claim a domestic treble of trophies.
“I knew going into this challenge that I didn’t fit Barcelona‘s style… I knew I was the best fallback option at the time, but I’m absolutely not the goalkeeper profile that suits that style of play,” he told Sportpl. “I knew I’d have to adapt, and I couldn’t do that by playing it safe. I knew I’d have to run senseless runs outside the box a few times to understand where the limit was, how high I could go, and how much I could risk. And that meant I had to make a few mistakes.
“I absolutely didn’t feel comfortable with it, but I saw that this plan was paying off. The team was playing great, so I had to adapt to this game, not the team to me, because I just didn’t fit in. I was very open to learning, and at the same time, I had to put my ego aside. I know, however, that there’s a certain level I won’t reach. I’m too old to learn everything so quickly. I just tried to do my job as best as I could.”
Meanwhile, Barca’s recent 4-1 defeat to Sevilla highlighted the ongoing challenges for Szczesny and the Blaugrana defense. Despite his efforts, the veteran keeper conceded four goals in a match where Sevilla exploited defensive gaps and counter-attacking spaces. The defeat, following a loss to Paris Saint-Germain, exposed vulnerabilities in Barcelona’s backline and underscored the risks of Flick’s high-press, possession-driven approach. Szczesny’s struggles in these games demonstrate how even an experienced goalkeeper can face intense pressure when operating outside his natural style.
Barca’s next fixture against Girona at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys presents an opportunity for redemption. Despite missing a penalty in the last game, Robert Lewandowski is also eyeing to return to his form, and with several key players possibly returning from injury, Szczesny will need to maintain focus and discipline. Girona, despite a difficult season and a narrow win against Valencia after winless in their last six games, remain a capable opponent with prior success against Barcelona.
