Barcelona ace could make his much-awaited debut in Copa del Rey in January – report | OneFootball

It was quite well-accepted that Wojciech Szczesny’s arrival at Barcelona was to replace Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as a bonafide starter in the lineup. Hansi Flick, however, opted to persist with Inaki Pena and the experiment did not fail.

While the La Masia graduate did not light up the world with stunning saves, he was promising in flashes and has even stepped up on occasion to produce special displays. In part, the manager’s gamble did indeed pay off.

For Szczesny, who came out of retirement to play for Barcelona, however, it has not been easy as he has been forced onto the sidelines from day one.

Debut incoming

Earlier today, Barcelona learned their opponents in the Copa del Rey and will face off against UD Barbastro early next year in their first game in the competition.

Szczesny’s debut next month? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As revealed by SPORT, that could be the night the Polish goalkeeper makes his debut for Barcelona officially after what has been a prolonged wait.

It has become a tradition, in part, for the second-choice goalkeeper to see minutes for Barcelona in the Spanish Cup and it is thus highly possible that Flick persists with the same.

Unlike in previous years, however, the goalkeeper this time has a real chance of staking a claim to replace the first-choice shot-stopper.

If Szczesny is anywhere close to the brilliance he showed before his retirement, he could give Inaki Pena a good run for his money.

The 34-year-old last featured in a football game officially in the European Championships for Poland against Austria back in June. Six months later, he will play his first game again and it remains to be seen how prepared he is for the occasion.