Szczesny: the statistic that makes the Barça goalkeeper the best in the major leagues of Europe

Published:27/01/2025 - 03:50h

Updated:27/01/2025 - 04:44h

Wojciech Szczesny started again against Valencia. The Pole maintains his unbeaten record as a starter under the three posts, achieving 5 victories in 5 matches

Wojciech Szczesny was the big surprise in the starting eleven of FC Barcelona to face Valencia. The Pole thus made the definitive 'overtake' on Iñaki Peña, who had already seen how the '25' of Barça had also 'stolen' the starting position from him in the Supercopa de España and in the match against Benfica in the Champions League, and he knew how to respond to the trust of Hansi Flick.

The goalkeeper made a grand debut in LaLiga, being the protector of the culé goal in the brutal thrashing of the Valencians (7-1). A victory that, in addition, he achieved in his first match in front of the blaugrana fans at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, thus completing a perfect night.

Szczesny, the most reliable goalkeeper in the five major leagues

With this victory, Szczesny maintains his unbeaten record as a starter under the three posts of the Barça goal. The Pole has played five matches as a blaugrana, achieving a full set of victories and establishing himself as the only goalkeeper in the five major leagues who, in all competitions, has played the most matches starting with 100% effectiveness (five).

Since his arrival in the Catalan capital in October, the culés have achieved five victories with the 34-year-old goalkeeper in goal: Barbastro (0-4), Athletic Club (0-2), Real Madrid (2-5), Benfica (4-5) and Valencia (7-1). In these matches, 'Tek' has conceded 7 goals, but he has also made several crucial saves that have allowed the blaugranas to emerge victorious from these clashes.

At the end of the match against the Che team, Flick stated that "in one week with Szczesny as a starter, two victories. One against Benfica and another against Valencia. It is a difficult situation for Iñaki Peña, it is something that has been discussed internally and we have made this decision", making it clear that the Pole seems to have outperformed the Alicante player, who has conceded 25 goals in 22 matches, looking ahead to the second half of the season.