Wojciech Szczesny not yet ready for Barcelona debut – Hansi Flick

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick says new signing Wojciech Szczesny will be available following the international break after ruling him out of making his LaLiga debut at Alaves.

Szczesny, 34, announced his retirement in August, but the former Poland international has been tempted back after Barca number one Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury last month.

“I think he is in very good shape, with his quality, with his experience he is a very good option,” Flick said of the former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper ahead of Sunday’s trip to Basque Country.

“When I spoke to him for the first time I was very impressed. He told me he was ready if we needed him. We think he will bring a lot to the table.

“Unfortunately he won’t be available against Alaves because he needs more time, but he will be available after the break.”

Inaki Pena has donned the gloves since Ter Stegen’s injury, keeping clean sheets against Getafe and Young Boys but conceding four at Osasuna as Barcelona lost for the first time this season.

Amid speculation that Szczesny said he would only join Barcelona if he was guaranteed the number one position, Flick said: “I think that, for him, playing for Barca will be a wonderful experience.

“If he had any doubts, he would have said no to us.

“We will see how things go, how it goes in training. We have time to train with him.”

League leaders Barcelona bounced back from their 4-2 defeat to Osasuna in convincing style on Tuesday.

Flick’s side thrashed Swiss side Young Boys 5-0 in the Champions League as Robert Lewandowski took his goals tally for the season to nine.

“We are very focused because it is very important to go into the break with a win,” said Flick. “Add three extra points.

“The last time we won it was a very good feeling. Going into the break with three more points would be the best thing.

“I don’t even want to think about the opposite scenario and we need intensity from the start.

“It will also be important not to make as many mistakes as in Pamplona, to control possession. We must also have chances and hopefully score goals.”

Alaves are unbeaten at home since March – a seven-game run which has brought five wins – but have lost defender Aleksandar Sedlar and midfielder Jon Guridi to injury.

Manager Luis Garcia Plaza said: “At home, we always look anyone in the face and we show ourselves to be very strong.

“Despite the difficulty of the match, we are very excited. This team is capable of turning complicated situations around.”

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