Szczęsny shines in Stadium of Light

A goalkeeper's job is never an easy one, especially when your team has to play almost 70 minutes with 10 men. After the dismissal of Pau Cubarsí in the first half against Benfica on Wednesday in Lisbon, the rest of the team had to be at their best to deal with the adversity, and Wojciech Szczęsny certainly was. 

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The Szczesny show against Benfica

The Polish keeper made several vital interventions which were key to helping his side take a 1-0 win in the Estádio da Luz in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. 

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HIGHLIGHTS | Benfica v Barça

Save after save 

Szczęsny's first save came after just 19 seconds of the game, turning over a header from Benfica midfielder Aktürkoglu. Following the dismissal of Cubarsí in the 22nd minute, Benfica tried to press home their numerical advantage, taking 26 shots. Barça's Polish keeper made no fewer than eight saves, five of which came from shots inside the box.  

Record  

Szczęsny's eight saves and a clean sheet is a feat not seen since the 2003/04 season at Barça. The last time a blaugrana keeper made eight or more saves in the Champions League was back in December 2015 when Ter Stegen made nine saves against Bayer Leverkusen, the difference being that the German conceded a goal that day. In all competitions, the last time a Barça keeper made eight saves was Ter Stegen again back in the 2019/20 season. 

Impressive totals  

Szczęsny's performance on Wednesday in Lisbon is no one off. The Polish keeper is yet to suffer a defeat as a blaugrana in his 14 starts up to now, in eight of which he has kept a clean sheet. Futhermore, he has conceded an average of less than a goal a game with 13 goals let in, another stat to delight the culers.