Barcelona struggled more than expected to secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals, despite holding a four-goal advantage from the first leg. Borussia Dortmund entered the match determined to overturn the deficit and came close to doing so after going 2–0 up. However, an own goal ended the home side’s hopes, despite them scoring a third goal later.
It was a very tough match in a hostile atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park, highlighting the difficulty of playing there. Hansi Flick’s team found themselves in a challenging position, calling for patience as the team retreated under pressure.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, the defeat Barcelona’s first in 2025 exposed clear struggles among some players who were not up to the challenge and appeared physically drained. A notable example was goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who failed to provide a sense of security throughout the match.
In addition to conceding three goals, he also gave away a penalty, raising concerns within the club and reigniting questions about his reliability. At Camp Nou, he is seen as a temporary replacement for the injured Marc-André ter Stegen, rather than a long-term solution.
Despite delivering impressive performances in some matches such as the recent games against Benfica and Leganés Szczęsny’s displays have not consistently reached the level expected of a world-class goalkeeper.
Although the Polish international’s experience is highly valued by Flick and his coaching staff, his inconsistency remains a point of concern for Barcelona’s management.
As a result, there is growing support for Ter Stegen’s return once he fully recovers, as he is considered the safest option during the decisive stages of the season.
Should the team reach the Champions League final, many within the club hope to see the former Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper back between the posts, replacing Szczęsny. On the other hand, Robert Lewandowski continues to strongly support his teammate and compatriot, believing Szczęsny has done enough to remain the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Despite the respect Lewandowski commands in the dressing room, most Barcelona players have placed their full confidence in Ter Stegen for the next stage. They appear convinced that Flick will ultimately come to share this view.