‘Give Eguavoen the Nigeria permanent job, Napoli will regret their actions on Osimhen’ 

Awful Ederson & McKennie magic leave City in real UCL trouble

Bet9ja Promotion Code B9GOAL in January 2025: Get 170% Multiple Boost

Saka leads wasteful Arsenal to brink of UCL last 16

Torres' two-goal salvo snatches Barca win at Dortmund

Ronaldo & Al-Nassr stars gifted BMW XM cars worth €155k

Antonio’s former manager wipes away tears in emotional tribute

Man City's FFP blow! PL could be encouraged by UEFA revelation

Bellingham is balling again for Madrid - but Mbappe suffers injury

CR7 sends emotional message as Portugal co-host World Cup

Look away, CR7! Garnacho admits it's a 'dream' playing with Messi

Guardiola's brother aims dig at Man Utd over Van de Beek

Chelsea warned why Palmer to Manchester United 'would make sense'

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Pena and Szczesny set to compete</li><li>Barcelona looking for number-one keeper</li><li>Pena praises the veteran stopper</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'He's a phenomenon!' - Wojciech Szczesny has already made a big impression on Barcelona team-mates as rival goalkeeper Inaki Pena hails Polish veteran

LaLiga

Barcelona

Leganes

<p>Barcelona captain and long-term goalkeeper Ter Stegen suffered a heartbreaking anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear last month, and the Catalan side were quick to sign Szczesny as a free agent to replace the German once it was confirmed that he would miss the rest of the season. The Polish goalkeeper <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ex-arsenal-goalkeeper-wojciech-szczesny-retirement-football-juventus-contract-terminated/bltdc4fce2de7de4a83" target="_blank">announced his retirement</a> from the game last season, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-sign-wojciech-szczesny-goalkeeper-comes-out-of-retirement-marc-andre-ter-stegen/blt39dc272d107d57a0" target="_blank">decided to return to the sport when Barcelona came calling</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Sczcesny has joined Hansi Flick's squad and has started training with the team but has not yet made his debut with the side as Inaki Pena is currently serving in goal. Despite the latest signing, Flick has made it clear that Pena and Sczcesny will compete with each other to serve as the number one. Regardless, Pena has been very supportive of his 34-year-old rival.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking to the media about Szczesny, Pena said: "As a person, he is a phenomenon.</p><p>"We know that he is a goalkeeper with a lot of experience, who has played for many European teams at the Champions League level and he is going to help us. In terms of competitiveness, we train at 100 per cent so that the manager gives us opportunities and he decides. Today it is my turn and we will see what happens in the future, we never know.</p><p>"He came to compete, to help, to add another goalkeeper and they saw the opportunity to sign him and with him, on a personal level, I'm doing very well and very happy."</p>

WHAT PENA SAID

<p>Flick revealed last week that Pena will be the starter for Barcelona against Bayern Munich on October 23, and Real Madrid on October 26. However, it is possible that Szczesny could play in either one of the matches if he impresses in training.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR SZCZESNY?

'He's a phenomenon!' - Wojciech Szczesny has already made a big impression on Barcelona team-mates as rival goalkeeper Inaki Pena hails Polish veteran | Goal.com Nigeria

Barcelona signed Wojciech Szczesny after Marc-Andre ter Stegen&apos;s injury and the Pole has already made a strong impression on his new team-mates.

&apos;He&apos;s a phenomenon!&apos; - Wojciech Szczesny has already made a big impression on Barcelona team-mates as rival goalkeeper Inaki Pena hails Polish veteran