Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny mentioned 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, came out of retirement to signal for Barça final October when Ter Stegen injured his knee in a LaLiga fixture towards Villarreal.
Ter Stegen was initially anticipated miss the remainder of the season, however he returned to coaching forward of schedule this month and will function once more earlier than the marketing campaign is up.
“Look, I’m right here this season to interchange Marc,” Szczęsny instructed a information convention forward of Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg towards Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
“If Marc is again and match and the coach decides he is again in aim, I’m effective with it. However I need to play. If the choice is the opposite means, I believe Marc will perceive too.
“At this second, there isn’t a competitors as a result of Marc is just coming again to coaching. He isn’t totally with the group. When he’s obtainable, it will likely be the coach’s determination, not ours, and we’ll respect it.
“It is not uncomfortable. There is not any stress between us. We each need the most effective consequence for the group at this important 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’ve got solely huge video games from now till the top of the season and I need to deal with taking part in the most effective soccer I can,” he added.
“I do not need to lose power on contract negotiations or considering my future.
“I need to win each trophy in entrance of us and depart the contract talks to the membership and my agent. There’s a probability they’re speaking, however I do not need to hear it.”
Barça have already gained 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 ultimate and have a 4-0 lead going into the second leg towards Dortmund.
“I just like the successful,” the previous Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper mentioned. “I used to be on the seashore a number of months in the past, I did not actually need to play soccer. Now I get to play with what I consider is the most effective group in Europe.
“It is a bit surreal for me, however the successful is sweet, within the dressing room, the coaching periods. It is a good feeling, I missed that. The successful is what I take pleasure in probably the most.
“After all I might not consider [being here]. However we’re right here and now I do not need to settle for another consequence. I need to win huge trophies.
“This yr takes me nearer than ever to my dream of successful this competitors. I need to take that probability. I need to deal with the previous few weeks of the season to do one thing very particular for the membership and ourselves.”
Barça will likely 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 mentioned his group should not take their foot of the fuel regardless of travelling to Germany with a giant lead.
“We all the time need to be at our greatest,” the Barça coach mentioned in a information convention. “We’ve got prime quality in our group and it is our responsibility to point out that each sport.
“We play a group like Dortmund, they’ve robust gamers themselves, and right here at this stadium it’s worthwhile to be switched on from the beginning.
“I’m comfortable we gained 4-0 as a result of I do know tomorrow will likely be a tricky sport. It’s important the group exhibits how good they’re; that they take pleasure in taking part in on this stage towards a number of the greatest in Europe.
“We can’t take any sport flippantly. We need to ship, for the followers travelling, watching at residence in Barcelona and around the globe.”
