Barcelona’s Goalkeeper Dilemma: Szczesny or Livakovic?

Hansi Flick has lost his first-choice goalkeeper for Barcelona’s trip to Sevilla – and he is keeping everyone guessing about what comes next.

Joan Garcia will stay at home after suffering a knee problem against Racing Santander, a setback that forced a joint decision between Flick and his medical staff.

“We always make decisions together,” Flick said. “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.”

That leaves a straight shootout: Wojciech Szczesny or Dominik Livakovic at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. Flick’s answer on who starts was as short as it was pointed.

“You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

Szczesny’s title pedigree vs Livakovic’s push

On paper, Szczesny holds the trump card. He was a cornerstone of Barcelona’s La Liga triumph last season, his experience and presence anchoring Flick’s rebuild.

The coach did not hide that.

“We won La Liga with Szczesny; it was largely thanks to him,” Flick said. “For us, he’s a fabulous goalkeeper with a wealth of experience.”

But the door is not closed on Livakovic. Far from it.

“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.”

Szczesny’s costly mistake against Racing inevitably came up. Flick made it clear that the conversation has already taken place – and it will not be played out in public.

“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.”

From there, Flick widened the lens. This is not just about one error or one keeper.

“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.”

A different Barcelona returns to Sevilla

Barcelona go back to a stadium that stung them last season. They lost at Sevilla, and the scars linger. Flick, though, is convinced this is not the same side.

“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.”

He knows exactly what awaits: a physical, aggressive, man-to-man battle.

“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. So is the physical one.

Barcelona are staring at a heavy run of fixtures, and Flick has made recovery almost a mantra.

“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 speed and dressing-room weight

Karim Adeyemi has surged into form at the right time, and Flick’s praise went beyond the usual nod to pace.

“He’s very quick, but I don’t know if he’s the quickest player I’ve ever coached. Alphonso Davies is similar,” he said, before shifting the focus to character. “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.”

Then came a line that underlined just how central Adeyemi has become to Flick’s plans.

“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 environment

The schedule means rotation is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Gabriel Jesus is very much part of that calculation, even if Flick refused to show 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, the standards remain high – and, by Flick’s own admission, not yet fully met.

“I think it’s not just my job, but that of the entire coaching staff. We work together, with positive energy.”

Then he cut through any notion that he is satisfied.

“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 Flick’s boldest calls has been using Raphinha as a number nine – not for his finishing alone, but for what he triggers without the ball.

“If you look at the last two seasons, we always started the press with the ‘number 9’,” Flick explained. “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.”

In Sevilla, with Garcia out, a keeper under scrutiny, and a captain leading the press from centre-forward, Flick’s Barcelona step into a familiar stadium with a very different edge.