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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Szczesny joined Barcelona out of retirement</li><li>Yet to make debut as Pena continues good form</li><li>Opens up on his delayed return to action</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'I feel completely ready' - Wojciech Szczesny opens up on Barcelona debut delay as he continues to await maiden appearance for La Liga giants

Copa del Rey

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Barcelona

<p>Szczesny retired at the end of the 2023/24 season with Juventus as he looked to finish his career on a high. However, just two months into the start of the season, the Polish goalkeeper was approached by Barcelona to reverse his retirement decision as they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-needed-special-dispensation-sign-wojciech-szczesny-long-term-marc-andre-ter-stegen-injury/blt381e5a6493ad503c" target="_blank">looked to sign a goalkeeper outside the designated transfer window</a> following <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/worst-case-scenario-marc-andre-ter-stegen-barcelona-ruptured-knee-tendon-requires-surgery/blt8ae5b6c3db6a7a62" target="_blank">Marc-Andre ter Stegen's ACL injury</a>, and only had the option to sign a free agent. The Poland international did so and signed a contract with the Catalan side until the end of the season but has yet to make his debut under Flick.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Following Ter Stegen's injury, backup goalkeeper Inaki Pena got the nod to start in Barcelona's goal and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/wojciech-szczesny-hansi-flick-right-leave-him-on-barcelona-bench-goalkeeper-retirement-la-liga/bltc8992656188d7b7b" target="_blank">it seemed the Spaniard would only play the part of the starter for Flick's side until Szczesny got back into shape</a>. However, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/hansi-flick-barcelona-inaki-pena-contract-marc-andre-ter-stegen-injury/blteca4db41622fcaba" target="_blank">Pena has been spectacular in goal for Barcelona</a> as his sweeping abilities have come to use several times with the Catalan side playing with a super-high defensive line. The former Poland international is yet to make his debut for Barcelona and has now opened up on his delayed start.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZNBppFGW4s&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Eleven Sports</a>, Szczesny said: “When will I make my debut? I don’t know. I said from the beginning, I had to get back in shape first, and that was the most important thing.</p><p>“Now I feel completely ready to play, physically and mentally, but I understand what’s happening.</p><p>“If I was manager, I would have played the same amount of games as I have done so far, It’s difficult to be frustrated because I agree with the situation 100%.”</p>

WHAT SZCZESNY SAID

<p>It is expected that Szczesny will now play the role that was supposed to be fulfilled by Pena this season and will likely be a starter for the Catalan side's Copa del Rey clashes and could feature in the Spanish Super Cup clashes in Saudi Arabia in January.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR SZCZESNY?

'I feel completely ready' - Wojciech Szczesny opens up on Barcelona debut delay as he continues to await maiden appearance for La Liga giants | Goal.com Tanzania

Barcelona keeper Wojciech Szczesny has opened up on his delayed debut with Hansi Flick&apos;s side after coming out of retirement to join the Catalan side.

&apos;I feel completely ready&apos; - Wojciech Szczesny opens up on Barcelona debut delay as he continues to await maiden appearance for La Liga giants