Barça is still alive in the fight for the treble, but the truth is that in recent weeks its performance has dropped. In recent weeks, the Azulgrana team has gone through a period of one-goal games, while also constantly demonstrating its ability to react by coming back from behind in several matches. This is positive, but it shows that the team is now conceding more in defense.
When Barça lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals, their 24-game unbeaten run came to an end, but that wasn’t the only streak to be broken. Another dynamic that came to a halt was that of Szczesny. The German goalkeeper, who has been first-choice in 2025, had not lost a game for Barcelona since his arrival. The Pole ended his run of 22 games unbeaten—12 of them without conceding a single goal—and was one away from equaling Cruyff’s record.
The end of a streak that could be worrying. Barça have conceded eleven goals in their last five games. The three goals conceded against Dortmund, Borja Iglesias’s hat-trick at Montjuic, Real Madrid’s two goals in the Cup final and Inter’s three goals in the Champions League have not had any consequences, but they are a clear warning ahead of the crucial moment approaching in the calendar.
Szczesny has gone from being a wall to conceding too many goals, something that a team fighting for the treble cannot afford. The doubts surrounding the Polish goalkeeper come just as Ter Stegen has been given the all-clear and can return to the starting line-up.
Obviously, the Polish goalkeeper is not to blame for all the goals conceded, but he has shown doubts in some of them. He is looking shaky both from crosses and from corner kicks, which could lead Flick to consider giving the captain a chance.
It seems unlikely that Szczesny will lose his place in the Champions League, where he is Ter Stegen’s backup, at least for the time being. However, the possibility of Ter Stegen getting some playing time in La Liga with the championship well underway is a reality. Perhaps the pressure surrounding the German goalkeeper’s return is what is affecting Tek, who has undoubtedly seen his performance drop significantly.