Hansi Flick could have efficiently navigated Barcelona by way of a difficult season in Europe regardless of monetary constraints, however his tenure has not been with out controversy. Latest studies recommend that Barcelona’s captains confronted the German coach, questioning his resolution to drop goalkeeper Iñaki Peña from the beginning lineup.
Goalkeeper points have plagued Barcelona all through the season, significantly after Marc-Andre ter Stegen sustained a season-ending damage early on. This left Iñaki Peña as the one out there possibility, forcing the membership to depend on the 25-year-old La Masia graduate to fill the void.
Because of this, Wojciech Szczesny, who had returned from retirement, was anticipated to take over as the first goalkeeper. Nonetheless, in an surprising transfer, Flick stored Peña within the beginning function. That was till a two-minute delay throughout a coaching session prompted Flick to make the controversial resolution to exchange Peña with Szczesny.
In response to Spanish outlet Sport, this resolution was an enormous blow to Peña, who’s reportedly struggling to know the rationale behind it. It’s comprehensible provided that the younger goalkeeper had been ready for his alternative to shine, particularly after Ter Stegen’s damage, however now finds himself sidelined.
The captains, together with Barcelona’s management figures, reportedly approached Peña to supply their assist. They inspired him not to surrender and to maintain working arduous for the nice of the crew. Additionally they questioned whether or not there have been any undisclosed components influencing Flick’s resolution. As Sport wrote, some influential gamers used their leverage inside the squad to immediately inquire concerning the scenario with the German coach.
What occurred between Iñaki Peña and Hansi Flick?
The turning level in Peña’s scenario got here when he arrived late to the crew’s activation session at their lodge in Saudi Arabia, previous to the Spanish Tremendous Cup match towards Athletic Bilbao.
Since then, Peña has made solely three appearances: one within the Spanish Tremendous Cup remaining towards Actual Madrid as a consequence of Szczesny’s crimson card, and two others towards Actual Betis and Getafe. Since January 18, he has been relegated to the bench, with Szczesny taking up because the beginning goalkeeper.
Was this late arrival sufficient to warrant Peña’s exclusion from the beginning function? In response to Sport, Peña had an uncomfortable dialog with Flick, wherein the goalkeeper sought clarification on why he had been unnoticed. Nonetheless, the dialog reportedly didn’t finish on constructive phrases, doubtlessly deepening the rift.
Peña stays one of the revered gamers within the Barcelona locker room, significantly among the many youthful gamers, who admire his professionalism and low-key demeanor. For example each on and off the sector, the squad appears unified of their assist of Peña, ready for a decision to the continuing scenario.
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