Szczesny’s Mistake Opens the Door for Ter Stegen’s Return (Photo)
Wojciech Szczesny’s error allowed Celta Vigo to score early against Barcelona.
Barcelona faced Celta Vigo in the 32nd week of La Liga at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, with the first half ending in a 1-1 draw.
Barcelona started the match well and scored early. Ferran Torres surprised the opponent in the 12th minute with a pass from Iñigo Martínez, putting his team ahead.
However, Hansi Flick’s team, which entered this match just four days after a tough Champions League quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund, was quickly caught off guard and conceded the equalizer.
A long ball to Celta Vigo’s side turned into a counterattack with quick passing. Pablo Durán received the ball on the left side of Barcelona’s defense and quickly moved forward, noticing his teammate’s run toward the goal.
At this moment, he decided to play a cross ahead of Barcelona’s defenders, who were moving toward the goal, to set up Borja Iglesias.
Pau Cubarsí, noticing Wojciech Szczesny’s positioning outside the goal, chose not to intervene, but Szczesny’s mistimed dive allowed the ball to pass by him, and Iglesias easily scored into the empty net in the 15th minute.
Szczesny, who had conceded three goals in the loss to Dortmund, also suffered his first defeat with Barcelona since joining the club. This loss ended Barcelona’s 24-game unbeaten run in 2025. Additionally, Wojciech Szczesny’s 22-game unbeaten streak as Barcelona’s goalkeeper also came to an end in this match.