Home » Barcelona keeper Szczesny after clean sheet: Best “still to come”

Barcelona keeper Szczesny after clean sheet: Best “still to come”

Wojciech Szczesny said his “best is still to come” after Barcelona’s 1-0 Champions League round of 16 first-leg win against Benfica.

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Szcezesny said his “best is still to come”

Barcelona was left with 10 players after Pau Cubarsi received a red card in the 22nd minute.

Raphinha scored the only goal of the night, but Barca’s victory was built on a stellar performance from goalkeeper Szczesny, who made eight saves to secure his eighth clean sheet in 14 games.

Szczesny, who came out of retirement to sign for Barca last October, replaced Iñaki Peña in the starting lineup.

“It is still to come, don’t worry,” Szczesny told reporters when he asked if it had been his best performance.

Szczesny made a string of saves, but he was especially proud of one against Kerem Akturkoglu in the first minute.

“I really liked the first save,” said the Polish keeper.

“We came here a few weeks ago and they scored early, so it was really important to start the game without conceding.”

“He’s a fantastic goalkeeper”

There was some skepticism when Barça coach Hansi Flick chose to replace Peña with Szczęsny while Marc-André ter Stegen remained sidelined with injury.

However, that decision has been justified, as Szczęsny’s form has steadily improved since joining in January.

“I think this is very important when you have a clean sheet, with 10 players only, that you have a great and fantastic goalkeeper on the pitch,” Flick said.

“Today was a great performance from him and he saved us to get the clean sheet. Very good. I am very happy for him and also for the team.”

He added: “I think with every match he has more confidence. I know he can play on this level because we see him every day in training and he’s a fantastic goalkeeper.”

The second leg will take place in Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium next Tuesday.