RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesBarcelona veteran says La Liga means more than Champions League: ‘Forces you to perform at the highest level consistently’
The Barcelona squad under Hansi Flick for his third season in charge of the club has a very young look, with Robert Lewandowski leaving and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the verge of securing an exit .
That leaves back-up goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny as the oldest member of the squad, and his role right now is to provide leadership in the dressing room and be ready in case Joan Garcia is not available.
The Polish shot-stopper is always very interesting when he speaks, and he believes Barcelona should dream of winning every trophy this season.
However, Szczesny also reiterated that La Liga remains the club’s most important objective.
Speaking during Barcelona’s pre-season training camp in England, the veteran explained why domestic consistency makes the league title an even greater challenge than the Champions League.
Szczesny puts La Liga first
Szczesny made it clear that Barcelona’s ambitions extend across every competition.
“When you represent this club, you start every season dreaming of winning every trophy you’re competing for,” he said, as quoted by SPORT .
Szczesny insists La Liga is more important for him. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
“Last year we won two, and this year the objective is to win even more.”
However, when asked whether the Champions League was the dressing room’s biggest target, the veteran goalkeeper offered an interesting perspective.
“I don’t think it’s the main one,” Szczesny explained.
“I always think about La Liga first because it’s the competition where you play the most matches and the one that forces you to perform at the highest level consistently. There are many teams that can win the Champions League, and we’re one of them.”
His comments underline the importance Barcelona place on maintaining their domestic dominance under Hansi Flick rather than becoming consumed by European expectations.
It also contradicts what most of his younger teammates believe , which could be a reflection of the number of years he has spent in this sport.
While the likes of Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, Alejandro Balde and Marc Bernal mentioned that the Champions League was the dream, Szczesny understands that keeping hold of their La Liga title should be the priority.
Team comes before individual goals
Szczesny also dismissed the idea of setting personal objectives.
“I don’t have personal goals,” he said. “I’m part of a team, and I do whatever is best for the team.”
An important player in the locker room. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
As the oldest player in Barcelona’s squad, he acknowledged his responsibility to guide the younger members of the dressing room.
“I’m the oldest player and the one with the most experience. I try to help the young players both on and off the pitch.”
Asked about Flick viewing him as an important figure in the squad, Szczesny responded with a smile.
“Does he really think that? You’ll have to ask him. I just try to do my job as well as I can and help my teammates,” he said.
Praise for Ter Stegen
Szczesny also spoke warmly about Ter Stegen as the German goalkeeper continues his comeback from an injury horror.
“He looks very good,” Szczesny said. “It’s been a difficult couple of years because of the injuries, but he’s at a very high level.”
Szczesny also joked that Lewandowski’s departure has helped him improve his Spanish.
“Now I have more time to speak Spanish because I don’t have to speak Polish with him anymore. That could be an advantage,” he finished.
Szczesny will continue to play an important dressing-room role this upcoming campaign. At this stage of his career, it is very clear that he is there to provide guidance and back-up to Garcia.
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