Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has been one of the biggest surprises of the UEFA Champions League season, becoming a key player for FC Barcelona. His outstanding performance in the 1-0 victory against Benfica in the first leg of the Round of 16 has positioned him as one of the most effective goalkeepers in the competition.

Szczesny's Impressive Stats

Save Percentage: 68.42%
Above the Champions League average (67%)
Crucial saves in key moments

In his three starts in the Champions League, Szczesny has delivered game-changing performances:

• 4-5 vs Benfica
• 2-2 vs Atalanta
• 0-1 vs Benfica (with 8 decisive saves)

His shot-stopping ability has been instrumental in keeping Barcelona competitive in Europe’s biggest tournament.

Szczesny vs Iñaki Peña: A Crucial Upgrade for Barcelona

Szczesny’s impact becomes even clearer when compared to his predecessor Iñaki Peña.

 Iñaki Peña’s Save Percentage: 37.5% (2nd worst in the UCL)
Wojciech Szczesny’s Save Percentage: 68.42%

This dramatic improvement has transformed Barcelona’s defense, providing much-needed stability between the posts.

8 saves vs Benfica → The highest number of saves by a Barcelona goalkeeper in a UCL match since Ter Stegen in 2019 (vs Slavia Prague, 1-2 win).

The Unexpected Signing That Changed Everything

At 34 years old, Szczesny arrived at Barcelona in October as an emergency signing following Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury. Despite the pressure, he has seamlessly adapted, helped by his strong connection with Robert Lewandowski and extensive experience at the highest level.

Even though Raphinha scored the decisive goal against Benfica and Pedri was named MVP, Szczesny was the silent hero, preventing the Portuguese side from equalizing with his crucial 8-save performance.

With Barcelona aiming for a deep Champions League run, Szczesny’s consistency could be the key to their European success. His numbers certainly make a strong case for him being the best goalkeeper in the competition so far.