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Barcelona fans are reacting with excitement on X after the club officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on social media. The former Juventus star officially signed a one-year deal as a free agent earlier today (October 2), just over a month after announcing his retirement from professional football.
The Blaugrana suffered a massive blow after Marc-Andre ter Stegen ruptured his patellar tendon last month, ruling him out for the rest of the season. Despite having Inaki Pena as his backup, the La Liga giants reportedly wanted an experienced goalkeeper between the sticks.
Szczesny suits this profile as he plied his trade for Arsenal between 2009 and 2017 before joining Juventus, where he played for another seven seasons.
In total, the 34-year-old has made 548 appearances across all competitions, keeping 210 clean sheets. He has also won 11 trophies for both clubs, including three Serie A titles in a row between 2017 and 2020.
Even though Szczesny formally announced his retirement at the end of August, the Pole was officially announced by Barcelona on their official X handle:
"Szczęsny is culer!"
One Barcelona fan posted:
"ALREADY BETTER THAN TER STEGEN"
Here are some more reactions:
"Benching Inaki Pena," one fan insisted.
"We finally have a good goalkeeper!!!! LETS GOOOOOO," one fan commented.
"Barca get this one right. Good for them," another added.
"That’s a good news. Hope he will be ready for Bayern. Because that’s the game that will tell me if we are ready or not," one fan tweeted.
"Welcome to the best club in the world. Now we have a proper Gk," another chimed in.
"Welcome to best club in the world," one typed.
Hansi Flick believes Barcelona have room for improvement despite 5-0 UCL win vs Young Boys
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick reckons his side have to start their games on the front foot and be more dynamic. His comments come after the Blaugrana defeated Young Boys in their UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday, October 1.
Flick and Co. bounced back from their loss to Monaco to clinch their first Champions League win of the season. Robert Lewandowski (8', 51'), Raphinha (34'), Inigo Martinez (37'), and Mohamed Ali Camara's 81st-minute own-goal gave the hosts a dominant win.
Flick wasn't fully satisfied as after the game, he told Movistar (via Barca Blaugranes):
“We have to start the games a little stronger. Be more dynamic as a whole. The game has improved as the minutes have passed. Nobody knows how this new Champions League will work, but it’s always good to have a good goal difference.”
Barcelona are currently 10th in the table with three points from two games, three points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. They next face Alaves in La Liga on Sunday, October 6.
