Barcelona Star Sparks Debate With Hansi Flick Criticism

Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has made headlines after publicly criticizing the club's attacking playing style under manager Hansi Flick, just weeks after extending his contract with the Catalan giants until 2027.

In a candid appearance on the Polish YouTube channel "Foot Truck", the 35-year-old stopper admitted he remains uncomfortable with Barça’s approach — even after a season filled with silverware.

"This isn’t my kind of football," Szczesny said.

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"What Barcelona did last season was fantastic. It’s great for the fans to watch, but it’s not my style of football — and even winning trophies doesn’t change my preference."

Barcelona claimed a domestic treble — La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup — but their Champions League campaign ended in disappointment, with a 7-4 aggregate loss to Inter Milan in the semi-finals.

A Goalkeeper Always Wants a Clean Sheet

Szczesny, who kept 14 clean sheets in 30 appearances last season, also expressed frustration at his teammates’ relentless pursuit of goals at the expense of defensive solidity.

“It hurts me when we’re 4-0 up, and the team is so determined to make it 5-0 that they simply forget everything else,” he said.

“A goalkeeper always wants a clean sheet. But the guys want to keep scoring, having fun — and as a goalkeeper, that’s difficult for me.

“The team could recognize the dangers, so we don’t keep making the same mistakes for 90 minutes. But that’s just my opinion. I’m a goalkeeper.”

Despite the contract extension, Szczesny’s role at the club is set to change. Barcelona have signed 24-year-old Joan Garcia from Espanyol, who will be handed the number one shirt next season. 

Meanwhile, former captain Marc-André ter Stegen, sidelined due to an upcoming back surgery, is expected to serve as third-choice upon his return.

Szczesny will be relegated to a backup role — a shift that further adds intrigue to his comments and future at the club.

Barcelona's high-octane attacking philosophy has proven popular with supporters. The team scored a staggering 102 goals in La Liga last season — 24 more than rivals Real Madrid — a statistic that highlights Flick’s intent to entertain and dominate.

Szczesny’s remarks may not sit well with club leadership or the dressing room, but they reflect a deeper tension between individual roles and the collective style of play — particularly for a veteran goalkeeper trying to balance pragmatism with spectacle.