Szczesny was able to say goodbye to the Barça goal with another night to forget

A worrying figure that reflects the defensive problems that Barça has been dragging and that calls into question the goalkeeper´s continuity in the starting position.

The hope in the return of Joan Garcia

Although there is still no official confirmation, a good part of the Blaugrana fans trust that Hansi Flick´s words will come true and Joan Garcia will return to occupy the goal after the international break. The coach himself hinted at this change, and the current situation seems to reinforce that possibility. Szczesny, in Vigo, has conceded 17 goals in the last nine matches, a worrying average that neutralizes any offensive progress of the team.

A problem beyond the goalkeeper

Beyond individual errors, the defensive fragility of Barça is a structural issue. Flick has publicly acknowledged the lack of intensity and energy in pressing, and he is also attributed with a certain tactical disorder that repeats itself after each goal scored. As seen in Balaídos —and earlier in Bruges—, every time Barça scores, the opponent responds immediately. Lewandowski´s first two goals were quickly answered by Carreira and Borja Iglesias, reflecting a worrying defensive disconnection.

A streak that recalls past times

With the one in Vigo, it is already ten consecutive matches conceding goals, a streak that began with Joan Garcia in his last appearance and that Barça had not suffered since the 2012/13 season. That team, led by the remembered Tito Vilanova, managed to chain up to thirteen matches conceding goals, with a total of twenty goals against.

Szczesny, far from last year´s level

The Pole has not managed to maintain the level shown in the previous season, when his performance was enough to compensate for the absence of Ter Stegen. In this 2025/26 season, however, he has been unable to keep his goal clean and has been surpassed in most matches. So far, Szczesny has conceded 17 goals, which means an average close to two goals per match. This record has been decisive in several negative results: a defeat in the Champions League against PSG (1-2) and a draw against Bruges (3-3). Even against lower-ranked rivals, like Olympiacos, he failed to prevent a goal against (6-1).

LaLiga, a reflection of the difficulties

In the domestic league, things have not gone better. Barça suffered two painful defeats: a thrashing against Sevilla (4-1) and a loss in the Clásico against Real Madrid (2-1). In addition, there are the goals conceded against Real Sociedad (2-1), Girona (2-1), Elche (3-1), and the most recent against Celta (2-4).

Comparisons are inevitable

The numbers highlight the difference between the goalkeepers. Joan Garcia, in the seven matches he played, only conceded five goals (an average of 0.7) and kept his goal clean on three occasions. Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois, with fifteen appearances, has conceded twelve goals and kept his net untouched in seven matches. The statistics and feelings point to the same diagnosis: Szczesny is going through his worst moment at Barça. And although Flick has not confirmed it directly, everything seems to indicate that Balaídos could have been his last night as a starter in the Blaugrana goal.