After the disappointing clash with Borussia Dortmund, tension began to grow in the Barcelona dressing room. Several players reportedly approached coach Hansi Flick, urging him to remove one of their teammates from the starting lineup for the upcoming fixtures.

Barcelona faced an unexpectedly tough challenge in securing a place in the Champions League semi-finals, even though they entered the second leg with a comfortable four-goal cushion. Borussia Dortmund put up a spirited fight at Signal Iduna Park, pushing hard to overturn the deficit. They managed to go 2–0 up, putting real pressure on the visitors.

However, an unfortunate own goal dealt a major blow to Dortmund’s hopes, despite them scoring a third later on. The match turned into a tense battle in a difficult away environment, and Barcelona’s players struggled under the pressure, leading to a narrow progression to the next round.

According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, this match—Barcelona’s first defeat in 2025—exposed several weaknesses within the team. Some players were reportedly not prepared for the physical and mental demands of the game. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, in particular, came under heavy scrutiny.

He conceded three goals and gave away a penalty, failing to inspire confidence in a high-stakes situation. Though he had previously impressed in matches against Benfica and Leganés, his inconsistency is now a serious concern for the club.

Szczęsny was brought in as a temporary replacement for the injured Marc-André ter Stegen, but his recent performances have cast doubt on his reliability. While manager Hansi Flick and his coaching team appreciate Szczęsny’s experience, his lack of stability in key moments has prompted many within the club to favor Ter Stegen’s return once he’s fully fit.

The German goalkeeper, known for his composure and shot-stopping ability, is viewed as the best option for the crucial final stages of the competition.

The situation has reportedly created tension within the squad. A significant number of Barcelona players have approached Flick, urging him to reinstate Ter Stegen as the starting goalkeeper. However, Robert Lewandowski remains loyal to his Polish teammate, vocally defending Szczęsny and insisting he deserves to keep his spot.

Despite Lewandowski’s influence, most of the team believes that Ter Stegen should start in the semi-finals—and potentially the final—if Barcelona advance. The decision now lies with Flick, who must weigh loyalty, form, and the high expectations of the club as they aim for Champions League glory.