Barcelona's Goalkeeping Dilemma: Szczesny vs Livakovic
Hansi Flick has confirmed that Joan Garcia will not travel to Sevilla, with the Barcelona goalkeeper sidelined by a knee problem picked up against Racing Santander.
The issue is not serious, but serious enough for a decision.
“We always make decisions together. When the doctors told us what was wrong with him – it’s not very serious, but he needs to rest – we decided he should rest,” Flick explained.
Garcia’s absence throws the spotlight straight onto Wojciech Szczesny and Dominik Livakovic. One of them will walk out at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. Flick knows which. He just isn’t saying.
“You’ll have to wait until tomorrow,” he replied, cutting off the inevitable follow-up.
Szczesny’s title weight vs Livakovic’s push
On paper, Szczesny starts ahead. His fingerprints are all over last season’s La Liga title, his experience and presence having anchored Barcelona’s run.
Flick did not hide that reality.
“We won La Liga with Szczesny; it was largely thanks to him. For us, he’s a fabulous goalkeeper with a wealth of experience.”
Yet he made sure Livakovic’s name carried weight too.
“I think it’s very important to have quality. I think that, with [Dominik] Livakovic, we also have a top-class goalkeeper – that’s just the way it is.”
The debate in goal has only sharpened since the Racing match, when Szczesny’s mistake proved costly. Cameras caught a pointed conversation between coach and keeper afterwards. Flick insisted that any fallout has been handled behind closed doors.
“I’ve already told him that we all make mistakes. He made a mistake and he’s aware of it; it won’t happen again.”
The German then widened the lens to his entire goalkeeping picture.
“I think that, right now, the situation with Tek is that he knows what our philosophy is. And Dominik has just played; he’s adapting to our approach. And that’s the issue.
“He can play, he’s ready to play, and that’s what we have to consider. But we always look out for what’s best for the team, not for one player.”
Return to Sevilla, but a different Barcelona
Barcelona head back to a ground that stung them last season. Same stadium, different feeling, according to Flick.
“I have to say, first of all, that I think we’re now at a different level to where we were last year. But every match starts at 0–0 and Sevilla, especially at home, are playing very well.
“They defend man-to-man and will try to press in those situations. For us, it will be important to play with confidence and move the ball out wide.”
The tactical message is clear: survive the press, exploit the flanks, and trust the team’s evolution. But the calendar is relentless, and Flick knows it.
“We’re working on that every day. Recovery is a very important part of it and we’re managing our workload very well. And that’s what we need to keep doing. For me, that’s the key.
“We’ve got a lot of matches coming up and we need to keep recovery in mind.”
Adeyemi’s spark and the value of speed
Karim Adeyemi has emerged as one of the bright sparks of Barcelona’s recent performances. His pace has stretched defences, his attitude has impressed the dressing room.
“He’s very quick, but I don’t know if he’s the quickest player I’ve ever coached. Alphonso Davies is similar. But he’s a good lad, a good person, and he has a lot of respect for the dressing room.
“Everyone loves him dearly. His performances make things easier.”
Flick’s backing could hardly be stronger.
“I’m really glad he chose us. I’ll put my trust in him and I’m 100% behind Karim. We’ll see more matches like the one on Wednesday.”
Rotation, Jesus and a demanding dressing room
The games keep coming, and so will the rotation. Gabriel Jesus is part of that equation, even if Flick refused to give away his hand.
“We’ll see, but we have to keep making changes to manage each player’s minutes.
“As for whether he’ll start, it was important for him to rest against Racing. For now, that’s all I can say.”
Inside the dressing room, Flick wants more. Not in terms of results alone, but in the daily standard, the atmosphere, the collective drive.
“I think it’s not just my job, but that of the entire coaching staff. We work together, with positive energy.”
Then came the honest admission.
“To be honest, I’m not entirely happy with this at the moment because we’re only just starting the process and there’s room for improvement.
“But right now I’m not 100 per cent satisfied because we always demand a lot and we need to improve things.”
Raphinha, the pressing captain at nine
One of the clearest tactical shifts under Flick has been the use of Raphinha as a number nine who defends like a midfielder and presses like a winger.
“If you look at the last two seasons, we always started the press with the ‘number 9’. And he has that hunger, that drive and that attitude to start the press exactly as we need him to.
“Not only is he excellent in attack, but he’s also excellent in defence. He’s the one who starts the press. As captain, he leads the way and the rest follow him,” Flick concluded.
A choice in goal, a captain leading the press, a coach still unsatisfied. Barcelona arrive in Sevilla with a title-winning core, new sparks like Adeyemi, and a manager who insists the bar is not yet high enough. The question now is whether that restlessness turns into a statement on the pitch at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
