Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny humorously questioned Pedri winning Man of the Match, despite his own stellar performance featuring eight saves in their Champions League victory over Benfica.
Wojciech Szczesny, Barcelona’s goalkeeper, admitted to ‘Movistar Plus+’ that they are “very happy” with the Catalan team’s 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. However, he cautioned that “the job is not finished.” “We have the second leg left, and we must finish the job professionally, just as we did today,” the Polish goalkeeper stated to ‘Movistar Plus+’. Szczesny emphasized his team’s resilience, playing over an hour with ten men after Pau Cubarsi’s dismissal in the 22nd minute. “We couldn’t play openly; we had to play with a man down and played compactly, limiting counter-attacks. It was a good game, with character, and we showed we can win games by fighting and showing the other side of this team,” he said. Adding humor, Szczesny joked about Pedri being named Player of the Match despite his own exceptional goalkeeping. “I asked Pedri: What sport do I play to not receive the Man of the Match award?”
Szczesny’s Heroics and Humor: Eight Saves and MOTM Jest
Wojciech Szczesny’s performance against Benfica was remarkable. He not only kept a clean sheet but also made eight crucial saves, denying Benfica’s offense. Against this backdrop, his joke about Pedri receiving the MOTM award underscores both his confidence and the team spirit within Barcelona. Szczesny’s words highlight that team victory is paramount, with personal accolades secondary, all delivered with a healthy sense of humor.
Hansi Flick Praises Szczesny and Pedri: “Brutal Level” Performance
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, in the post-match press conference, lauded Pedri’s performance against Benfica as “brutal.” Flick expressed immense pride in his team’s 1-0 win over Benfica, especially after playing with ten men from the 22nd minute due to Cubarsi’s red card. Regarding Polish goalkeeper Szczesny’s eight outstanding saves, Flick affirmed his performances were “fantastic.” “We had a good goalkeeper,” the German coach insisted. Overall, he praised the team’s collective effort, noting they “ran a lot” and “defended as a team,” describing the match as “fantastic.” Besides praising the goalkeeper, Flick remarked about Pedri that “he is at a brutal level” and added, “we are happy to have him.”
Flick’s Warning and Champions League “Easy Path” Dismissal
Despite the victory, Flick cautioned against complacency for the return leg, emphasizing Benfica is “a good team” and they “must be wary.” He added, “We are in a good situation, but in football, everything is possible. Tuesday will be complicated, tough, and difficult. These Champions League matches are complicated for everyone.” Flick dismissed claims of an “easy path” to the Champions League final, stating that “there’s no easy game at this stage, every team deserves to be here, and Benfica too.”
Match Context and Key Moments: Raphinha’s Goal and Cubarsi’s Red Card
The tense match began mirroring their previous 5-4 group stage encounter in Lisbon. Raphinha secured the win with a 61st-minute goal, despite Barcelona being reduced to 10 men following young defender Pau Cubarsi’s red card. Despite numerical disadvantage, Benfica could not breach Barcelona’s defense, thanks to Szczesny’s reliability and the team’s cohesive defense.
Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League last 16 first leg is a significant step towards the quarter-finals, but the return leg remains crucial. Wojciech Szczesny’s heroic goalkeeping and Hansi Flick’s praise for Pedri and the team’s collective effort highlight Barcelona’s potential and determination. Despite challenges, the team demonstrated character and the ability to win even under pressure.
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