Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny stated on Monday he’ll settle for being dropped for Marc-André ter Stegen if that’s what coach Hansi Flick decides when the Germany worldwide returns to full health.
Szczesny, 34, got here out of retirement to signal for Barça final October when Ter Stegen injured his knee in a LaLiga fixture in opposition to Villarreal.
Ter Stegen was initially anticipated miss the remainder of the season, however he returned to coaching forward of schedule this month and will characteristic once more earlier than the marketing campaign is up.
“Look, I am here this season to replace Marc,” Szczęsny informed a information convention forward of Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg in opposition to Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
“If Marc is again and match and the coach decides he’s again in aim, I’m superb with it. However I need to play. If the choice is the opposite method, I feel Marc will perceive too.
“At this second, there is no such thing as a competitors as a result of Marc is barely coming again to coaching. He’s not absolutely with the crew. When he’s accessible, will probably be the coach’s choice, not ours, and we are going to respect it.
“It’s not uncomfortable. There’s no tension between us. We both want the best outcome for the team at this crucial stage of the season.”
Barça’s fortunes have modified dramatically since Szczesny first got here into the aspect in January, changing Iñaki Peña. They’re undefeated of their final 24 matches in all competitions, with the previous Poland worldwide but to style defeat in his 22 appearances for the membership.
His contract is because of expire in the summertime, however there have been stories he’ll signal an extension, which might see his battle for the gloves with Ter Stegen run into subsequent season.
“We have only big games from now until the end of the season and I want to focus on playing the best football I can,” he added.
“I don’t need to lose power on contract negotiations or considering my future.
“I want to win every trophy in front of us and leave the contract talks to the club and my agent. There is a chance they are talking, but I don’t want to hear it.”
Barça have already received the Spanish Supercopa with Szczesny in aim and three extra trophies might comply with. They’re 4 factors clear in LaLiga, within the Copa del Rey closing and have a 4-0 lead going into the second leg in opposition to Dortmund.
“I like the winning,” the previous Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper stated. “I used to be on the seashore just a few months in the past, I didn’t actually need to play soccer. Now I get to play with what I imagine is the very best crew in Europe.
“It’s just a little surreal for me, however the profitable is good, within the dressing room, the coaching classes. It’s a pleasant feeling, I missed that. The profitable is what I take pleasure in probably the most.
“In fact I’d not imagine [being here]. However we’re right here and now I don’t need to settle for every other end result. I need to win large trophies.
“This year takes me closer than ever to my dream of winning this competition. I want to take that chance. I want to focus on the last few weeks of the season to do something very special for the club and ourselves.”
Barça shall be with out Alejandro Balde in Dortmund after the left-back injured his hamstring on the weekend, however Dani Olmo is again within the squad.
Flick stated his crew should not take their foot of the fuel regardless of travelling to Germany with an enormous lead.
“We always want to be at our best,” the Barça coach stated in a information convention. “We now have top quality in our crew and it’s our responsibility to indicate that each sport.
“We play a crew like Dortmund, they’ve sturdy gamers themselves, and right here at this stadium you must be switched on from the beginning.
“I’m completely satisfied we received 4-0 as a result of I do know tomorrow shall be a troublesome sport. It’s important the crew reveals how good they’re; that they take pleasure in taking part in on this stage in opposition to among the greatest in Europe.
“We won’t take any game lightly. We want to deliver, for the fans travelling, watching at home in Barcelona and around the world.”
