Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has avoided to make a statement about who will be his goalkeeper until the end of the season. Flick has changed the number one earlier this year, with Wojciech Szczesny used to be used Inaki Pena, and now club captain is Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the way back of injury.
In February, Flick was asked if Szczesny would be their starting goalkeeper in the future, which he confirmed at the time. Exactly two months later, and with Ter Stegen again training with the team, he did not commit himself to a number one.
“We will see, step by step, day after day, to see Ter Stegen, because he gets better and better. Today it's not the day. It's not time, we will treat it as normal. Everything goes in the right direction, we must be happy that he is on this point,” he told the media.
Perhaps the biggest question for Flick for their Copa del Rey Semi-Final with Atletico Madrid that will replace Dani Olmo in midfield. Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Pablo Torre would all be for such as replacements, while he could push Frenkie de Jong or Pedri forward and also use Eric Garcia in midfield.
“In this position you have to find the right position, find the rigth position in the attack, pressure in the defense … It is always the case. There are some players who can play that position, we will see tomorrow. I believe in every player. I have faith in them, that they can do it well. We can positive tomorrow.
Barcelona will have Raphinha back after he missed their last two victories over Osasuna and Girona because of discomfort.
“Yes, he is absolutely ready,” he explained about Raphinha's fitness after missing their last two games. Pau Cubarsi is also set to return after two games that start on the couch and an ankle injury.
“He is ready as Raphinha, we gave him a little more time. It was the right decision.”
Reports that come from the Catalan capital have stated that Flick is planning to keep Szczesny as number one of Barcelona until the end of the season. Van Ter Stegen is expected to get the medical green light at the end of April, but it would be a daring decision to replace the Polish Shot stopper in the heat of the title race. Barcelona takes on Atletico in the Metropolitano on Wednesday evening at 9:30 PM CEST, with the score on 4-4.
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