Szczesny talks Ter Stegen, Lewandowski, Pena, Flick renewal ahead of Dortmund vs Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona landed in Germany earlier today as they get set to take on Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday night.

With a commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg, the Blaugrana have pretty much secured their spot in the final four and must go about their job professionally and without any complacency tomorrow at Signal Iduna Park to ensure there is no upset on the cards.

On the eve of the game, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny spoke to the media at the press conference, discussing his contract situation and form among other things.

Kicking things off, Szczesny was asked about the imminent return of Marc-Andre ter Stegen from injury and the fact that the Pole will need to be de-registered from the Champions League if manager Hansi Flick wants to use the captain in the competition.

“You don’t even give me the option. Hello (laughs). I’m here to replace Marc, but I obviously want to play in this competition, but I would respect the opinion if the coach [Flick] decides to change,” said Szczesny on the matter.

Moving on to his renewal, the 34-year-old added: “It’s not something I think about too much. I have a contract until the end of the season and I want to focus on the games.

“I don’t want to waste energy with questions about the contract or my future. I want to give my best for the club.”

Reflecting on his journey over the past year or so, from having retired to now being in a position to win a treble with Barcelona, Szczesny said:

“I like the fact of winning. A few months ago I was on the beach and now I’m playing for one of the best teams in Europe. Winning is what I like the most. It would have been impossible for me to think about winning such important competitions after retiring.

“I am getting closer and closer to winning the Champions League, which is a dream for me.”

Reminiscing the exact moment when he learned about his signing for Barcelona, he added:

“Honestly, I was playing golf with my son. The truth is that before that moment I had already received some signals. The truth is that it was strange for me, because not many players would have been called in that situation. It was very natural.”

Talking about the big game tomorrow and the team’s mindset heading into it, the goalkeeper remarked:

“It’s a big game for the team and also for me. We are all in the same situation and we all want to do our best. We have played against very difficult teams and tomorrow we will do it again. We don’t have to think about a possible defeat tomorrow.”

Being one of the most experienced players in the squad, Szczesny touched upon how he tries to help the youngsters, saying:

“With age, you end up managing the pressure differently. The boys are more enthusiastic and energetic, but I’m more calm. I’m not as good as other players to help them, but with my attitude, I try to help them to be calmer.”

The 34-year-old Pole then shed light on his practice of meditation ahead of matches and its benefits, stating:

“It’s a long thing to explain. I started to do it in Italy and meditating helps me a lot in my day-to-day life. It’s something I recommend to all professionals.

“I think footballers can improve a lot if they know how to manage pressure and meditating helps you to be calmer.”

Still undefeated (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Touching upon the wave of support he has received from the Barcelona fans, Szczesny, who is yet to taste defeat in the Blaugrana colours, said:

“The truth is that these things can happen very quickly. If you’re performing well, the fans will love you more. But I’m very happy.”

When asked if he thought he was better than Ter Stegen, the Pole praised his teammate, saying:

“Marc has a very high level and it doesn’t make any sense to make comparisons. He is coming back to training after a very important injury and the truth is that when he recovers 100% there won’t be many goalkeepers at his level.”

On if there was any tension between him and the German international, the Pole replied:

“Right now Marc is just focused on getting back to training and he doesn’t have to think about that. We understand the situation very well and there is no tension between us.

“Whatever happens we will understand and respect it. We both want the best for the team.”

On his personality and his early adaptation in the Barcelona dressing room, Szczesny revealed that he received help from Robert Lewandowski and Inaki Pena.

“The truth is that I would find it hard to explain about how I am funny. I just try to be myself and be natural,” said the goalkeeper.

“Robert [Lewandowski] helped me a lot in the first weeks when I arrived and helped me to integrate. In those weeks Inaki [Pena] also helped me and I was quite natural. They will think I am a natural person.”

Further talking about Lewandowski and his relationship with the striker, he added: “It was from him that I got the first call. As I said before, Robert helped me and my family a lot.

“I was very lucky to be able to meet him and a group that helped me a lot. It was difficult for me, because I had to change my mentality again, but he was a real support and made the transition very easy for me.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo