Wojciech Szczęsny was sent off with a red card in his first and possibly last El Clasico of his career. The Pole fouled Kylian Mbappe, who was taking a clean position, and weakened the team, although Barcelona had a safe advantage of four goals. So if the Polish goalkeeper’s ratings have increased in any way in recent days, they have just returned to the starting point.
Why at such a moment, Wojtek?
Fans from Poland and Barcelona could have asked themselves this question as they watched Szczęsny leave his penalty area and then hit Kylian Mbappe’s foot with his boot. Perhaps the Frenchman would not let the defenders stop him and shot on goal. He might even have found the net. But would anyone then have a greater grudge against the Pole? I don’t think so. Mbappe could also have made a mistake, or – above all – Wojtek could have shown what he has always been most appreciated for – a spectacular parade.
Instead, Szczęsny recalled all the nightmares from his time playing for the Polish national team. Immediately, flashbacks appeared from matches with Greece at Euro 2012 and Senegal at the World Cup in Russia. At that time, however, the results were close and every point was worth its weight in gold. Now, thanks to a four-goal advantage, practically nothing depended on his intervention, and yet he moved towards the Royal striker as if it were the last minute of the match and the scoreboard read 0-0.
We have no illusions – this one decision may cost the Pole the loss of his place in the first team for the rest of his stay in Barcelona. In the previous two matches, Szczęsny did not show such a good side that today’s mistake would be forgotten by Flick, and yet Inaki Pena was also not put on the bench for sporting reasons, only due to disciplinary issues.
We are afraid that the German coach may come to the conclusion after today’s match that a late goalkeeper is better than one who goes to the locker room early.
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