According to reports, Hansi Flick confirmed last week after the match against Valladolid that Szczesny would be the team’s main goalkeeper in this crucial game. However, this match comes as Szczesny has conceded nine goals in his last three games, his worst record this season. Real Madrid, with Kylian Mbappé competing for La Liga’s top scorer title, poses a serious threat to him.

This downward trend began in the Copa del Rey final against Real, where Szczesny conceded two goals from Mbappé and Chouameni. Then, in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter, he let in three goals, and his performance was far from convincing. TV footage showed Szczesny explaining to a member of Inter’s coaching staff how he conceded the goals.

In the next match at the Metropolitano, he conceded four more goals against Inter. Inter, alongside Atlético Madrid and Benfica, are among the teams that have scored the most against him. Szczesny has conceded 33 goals in 28 games this season, 15 of which came in the last six matches. His previous worst streak was conceding seven goals in three games in January.

Szczesny has so far failed to keep a clean sheet against Real Madrid. Against Roma in the 2015-16 Champions League Round of 16, he conceded two goals in each leg and was eliminated. Against Juventus in the 2017-18 season, after Buffon’s red card in the 95th minute, Szczesny came on, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty secured Real’s advancement. With Barcelona, in the Super Cup final, he was sent off after 57 minutes for a foul, while Mbappé had already scored. In the Copa del Rey final, he conceded two more goals.

These failures coincide with the return of Marc-André ter Stegen, who played against Valladolid after a long injury. Despite ter Stegen’s return, Flick has emphasized that Szczesny is fixed for El Clasico. This match will be a major test for Szczesny to prove his ability against Real’s powerful attack under immense pressure.