Wojciech Szczesny was the key player for Barcelona in their 1-0 win over SL Benfica in the Champions League. The Polish goalkeeper made eight important saves, ensuring his team kept a clean sheet. Szczesny became the first Barcelona goalkeeper since 2004 to make eight saves in a Champions League game without conceding a goal.
Szczesny Talks About His Performance
After the match, Szczesny shared his thoughts. He said, “We’re happy, but the job isn’t finished yet. We have another game next week, and we need to stay focused.” He also mentioned that he enjoys playing in games where he has to defend against counter-attacks. When asked if this was his best performance, Szczesny humbly said, “The best is yet to come.”
Pedri Wins Man of the Match
Barcelona fans were surprised when Pedri was named Man of the Match instead of Szczesny. Szczesny joked about it, saying, “He got the award, but I’ll take half of it home.” He also joked with Pedri, asking, “What sport do I play that I didn’t get the Man of the Match award?” Despite not winning the trophy, Szczesny said he’s happy with his clean sheet.
Red Card Changes the Game
The match changed early when Pau Cubarsi was sent off with a red card. Szczesny explained that the team had to focus on defense and not leave space for counter-attacks. “We had to stay disciplined and play with character,” he said.
Important Saves and Future Plans
Szczesny made several key saves during the game, especially an important stop early on. He said, “It was crucial to start the game without conceding.” When asked about his future at Barcelona, Szczesny didn’t want to talk about contract renewals just yet. He focused on the team’s upcoming matches.