Wojciech Szczesny reveals key cultural difference between Barcelona and Juventus

Wojciech Szczesny signed a contract extension with Barcelona until 2027 and reflected on his first nine months at the club, particularly praising teammate Pedri as the most impressive player he's encountered.

Szczesny described Pedri as having exceptional control in both attack and defense, never losing possession even under pressure. He emphasized Pedri's confidence in dribbling through tight spaces and his role in making football entertaining, stating he'd personally name Pedri the year's best player for his ability to retain possession consistently.

Comparing his experiences at Barcelona and former club Juventus, Szczesny highlighted fundamental differences in playing styles. At Barcelona, training involves intense small-sided games with constant pressure and proximity between players, which improves footwork through continuous ball demand. He noted a cultural shift where teammates actively seek passes even in crowded situations, unlike Juventus where defenders often avoided receiving balls.

Szczesny observed Barcelona's resilient mentality, where mistakes or conceded goals don't carry the same weight as at Juventus. The team immediately focuses on scoring rather than dwelling on errors, creating less pressure on individual performances. He cited examples where Pedri and technical defenders like Íñigo Martínez and Cubarsí constantly demand the ball regardless of opponent proximity.

The goalkeeper also contrasted specific on-field behaviors: at Juventus, defenders would turn away to prompt long clearances, whereas Barcelona players actively position themselves to receive passes and verbally demand the ball during buildup play.