Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s season-ending knee injury had thrown Barcelona’s goalkeeping situation into doubt, with the German international having been the nailed first-choice option for head coach Hansi Flick. Inaki Pena currently holds the position, although he will be pushed all the way by recent signing Wojciech Szczesny.
Many expect Szczesny to eventually take over from Pena, although Flick is keeping his faith in the Spaniard for the time being. In the former’s case, he is happy to continue acting as a backup for the time being, as told Eleven Sports (via MD).
“Inaki Pena has not given him any reason to leave him on the bench. We have talked a lot. I’ve already told the coach that I’m 100%, but the team is working well. If it’s not broken, don’t touch it.”
Wojciech Szczęsny: "Iñaki Peña has not given Hansi Flick any reason to leave him on the bench. We've talked a lot. I've already told the coach that I'm one 100%, but the team is working well. If it's not broken, don't touch it." @ELEVENSPORTSPL
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 24, 2024
Pena has created some doubts with his performances since returning to the starting line-up at Barcelona, although he will stay ahead of Szczesny until he loses the trust of Flick. For now, this has not happened.
Pena is fcn awful and the coach must stop experimenting