Barcelona stored up their excellent La Liga begin with a 1-0 win towards Getafe on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to make it seven victories from seven video games in Spain this season.
Hansi Flick’s facet are actually on 21 factors on the prime of the desk, 4 above arch-rivals Actual Madrid, who’ve a troublesome journey to neighbours Atletico on Sunday. Robert Lewandowski was the difference-maker along with his Nineteenth-minute effort towards Getafe however Barca have been far superior to their guests from Madrid — it will have been a snug margin of victory have been it not for some erratic ending.
However this was an encouraging end result after the information of first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending knee damage. Let’s take you thru the important thing speaking factors.
Constructive night time for Pena — however Szczesny within the wings
Earlier than kick-off at Barca’s short-term dwelling stadium within the Montjuic district of the town, their followers made themselves heard by chanting the identify of Ter Stegen’s stand-in, Inaki Pena.
It was a daring present of assist for 25-year-old Pena, the previous Barcelona Atletic (Barca’s B group, largely made up of academy gamers, who play in Spain’s third tier) goalkeeper who had additionally stepped up when Ter Stegen was injured final season. This was a confidence-boosting efficiency as he claimed a clear sheet — the one actual hazard coming within the final minute, when Borja Mayoral miscued a superb probability.
Pena had extra touches (45) than any Getafe participant. He solely wanted to make one save however he accomplished 30 passes with an 86 per cent accuracy. He was assured in his distribution and in sweeping up behind his defence, an space of his sport which brought on doubts when he got here on for Ter Stegen towards Villarreal on the weekend.
Pena had a quiet night time towards Getafe (Manuel Queimadelos/High quality Sport Photographs/Getty Photographs)
It’s unlikely to be the final we hear about Barcelona goalkeepers this week. As The Athletic has reported, they’ve approached the recently-retired former Arsenal, Roma and Juventus No 1 Wojciech Szczesny to reverse his summer season exit from the sport and be a part of them as Ter Stegen’s substitute. A gathering occurred between Flick and sporting director Deco this week wherein the membership determined to search for an skilled ’keeper who might add competitors and management.
GO DEEPER
Barcelona make contact with Szczesny as Ter Stegen substitute
Szczesny, the 84-cap former Poland worldwide, introduced his retirement from soccer after taking part in twice for his nation at Euro 2024 and terminated his contract with Juventus, however Barcelona’s curiosity has made him rethink.
Membership sources (who, like all these on this article, requested to stay nameless to guard relationships) say Szczesny, 34, has agreed to affix the Catalan membership and is ready to journey there on Thursday. He’s anticipated to talk with Juventus relating to a clause within the termination of his contract, however Barcelona and the participant’s camp don’t anticipate this to be an issue. As soon as it’s sorted, Szczesny can have his medical and signal.
It was agreed Szczesny would obtain a sum of cash from Juventus as a part of this mutual termination. The quantity could be lowered if he determined to return out of retirement to play for an additional membership earlier than the tip of June 2025.
Flick was coy when requested about the potential of Szczesny being signed. “I solely converse in regards to the gamers we’ve got within the membership,” Flick stated. “Inaki is our No 1 and he acquired a clear sheet. We’re so glad for him and that’s what counts proper now.
“Inaki is 25, and the opposite guys are actually younger. If one thing occurs, we want expertise. Deco and I spoke about that.”
Szczesny retired this summer season (Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC through Getty Photographs)
Seven in seven for Lewandowski
Lewandowski has gone from being undesirable by Barca’s teaching workers final season to registering his greatest begin to a marketing campaign for the membership, at 36, with seven targets in as many La Liga video games.
Supervisor Xavi requested the membership to promote the striker earlier than he was sacked however the Polish striker is rejuvenated below successor Flick.
His team-mates might observe his lead. Lamine Yamal was in superb type once more however simply couldn’t discover a purpose whereas Raphinha and Eric Garcia missed good probabilities. However that is what Lewandowski was introduced in to do in summer season 2022.
“He’s the most effective No 9 within the final 10 years,” Flick stated. “His job is in entrance of purpose, within the field. There are gamers round him who may give him the final move, and that occurred. His purpose was the primary time we performed actually quick up entrance, you would see the impression.”
The sequence talked about by Flick was began by Garcia as he sped up play and handed to Yamal. The 17-year-old noticed right-back Jules Kounde overlapping and offloaded to the Frenchman. His cross was misjudged by goalkeeper David Soria and Lewandowski made no mistake.
“What has modified this season? We discover extra crosses and passes into the field and, as a striker, that is the world of the pitch the place I really feel like I can do great things for the group,” Lewandowski informed broadcaster DAZN after the weekend’s win towards Villarreal.
Garcia making progress in midfield
Garcia deserves a point out after finishing 90 minutes as a holding midfielder for the second sport in a row and placing in his greatest efficiency but in that function.
Flick has been compelled to belief the previous Manchester Metropolis centre-back in midfield after an extended checklist of accidents — to Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal and one other defender who can play there, Andreas Christensen. Academy graduate Marc Casado was left as the one pure holding midfielder, so Flick wanted to search out options.
Garcia skilled an unlucky first begin within the Champions League opener towards Monaco — he was despatched off after Ter Stegen’s poor move to him within the tenth minute. However since then, he has made progress.
Garcia confirmed optimistic indicators towards Getafe (Manuel Queimadelos/High quality Sport Photographs/Getty Photographs)
He accomplished 59 passes with an 87 per cent accuracy towards Getafe, learn gamers’ motion between the traces and confirmed his defensive nous in profitable 5 of his seven aerial duels.
“Eric has been bettering,” Flick stated. “He was unfortunate within the Monaco sport, however he’s been working actually exhausting in coaching and he did a superb job. I’m happy with him.”
Garcia isn’t the most effective match for the holding midfield function, however he’s proving vital for Flick as he offers with an absence of gamers each in that place and at centre-back.
What’s subsequent for Barcelona?
Saturday, September 28: Osasuna (A), La Liga, 9pm CET (8pm BST, 3pm ET).
(High picture: David Ramos/Getty Photographs)