Barcelona's elimination in the Champions League semifinals against Inter Milan has been a hard blow to digest. After a remarkable season in Europe, the team collapsed in the most important stretch of the competition, when there were only a few minutes left to secure a place in the final. The numbers aren't positive either: Barça conceded seven goals in a tie that will go down in history as one of the most painful for the club in recent years.
The European dream turned into a nightmare, and the blow has left wounds at all levels of the club. Beyond the result, what worries the blaugrana club's management the most is the fragility the team showed in both matches, especially in the defensive line. The feeling of helplessness in such moments and the concessions in their own area have unleashed a wave of criticism toward more than one player.
It's no wonder: the defeat not only leaves Barça out of Europe, but it has also opened an internal debate that could lead to drastic decisions. The future of certain players with the culé jersey is already being studied in the club's offices, and more than one has been left in a bad position.
In the eye of the storm
According to the latest information circulating around Barça, one of the most pointed figures after the debacle is Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish goalkeeper, who arrived as a temporary reinforcement in winter due to Ter Stegen's injury, has gone from being a reliable emergency solution to a source of doubts. He conceded seven goals between the first and second legs against Inter, and his performance, especially in extra time, left much to be desired.
In that sense, the club is beginning to question whether his continuity in goal makes sense. Until before that tie, Szczesny had more than fulfilled in La Liga, but the mistakes in decisive moments have raised alarms. From the offices, they consider that it's not enough to fulfill, and that in instances like a European semifinal, the goalkeeper must make a difference.
A quiet farewell
Everything points to Szczesny not continuing at Barça next season. His short-term contract expires in June, and both the coaching staff and the sports management are considering other options for the second goalkeeper. Among the names being considered as possible replacements is Joan García from Espanyol, as well as young prospects being followed from other European leagues.
Therefore, the goalkeeping position, like other areas of the field, is preparing for a restructuring. Despite the bitter outcome, no one at the club doubts the professionalism of the Polish goalkeeper. He arrived in a complex context, fulfilled for several months, and took on the challenge with seriousness, but at Barça, there is no room for error when competing for everything.