Barcelona admit La Masia star’s state of affairs was not dealt with in finest means; future unsure

Hansi Flick’s determination to abruptly ditch Inaki Pena as his beginning goalkeeper for Wojciech Szczesny at Barcelona final month has generated quite a lot of debate and controversy.

Initially benched for the Spanish Tremendous Cup semi-final towards Athletic Membership for coming late to a gathering, the Spaniard was neglected for the next last vs. Actual Madrid.

Whereas Pena did return to the lineup for the Copa del Rey sport towards Actual Betis and the next La Liga conflict vs. Getafe as a result of Szczesny’s suspension, the veteran Pole was reinstalled because the starter towards Benfica within the UEFA Champions League.

Barcelona admit state of affairs might have been dealt with higher

Now, in keeping with Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona admit the state of affairs surrounding Pena and his sudden omission from the group was not managed in the very best method.

For starters, Pena’s exclusion for 2 consecutive matches for being late for a session got here as a shock when Jules Kounde was solely omitted for one sport for a similar motive.

Moreover, when Flick selected to alter the goalkeeper for the Champions League match towards Benfica there have been no causes supplied, nor was any clarification given to Pena.

Out of favour. (Photograph by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Photos)

The choice was made on the identical day and communicated to Szczesny, however to not the homegrown participant, who realized concerning the change from the media when he had believed he can be the No. 1 in Europe.

The German coach later admitted, in a subsequent dialogue with the participant and different members of his employees, that the state of affairs had not been dealt with in one of the best ways, in keeping with sources from the membership.

Future unsure

Pena’s benching highlights that the La Masia product, who was as soon as the second-choice to Marc-Andre ter Stegen and able to step in for emergencies, is now behind a goalkeeper who had retired throughout the summer time.

This drastic breakdown in belief has raised doubts concerning the continuity of the 25-year-old shot-stopper, particularly if Szczesny opts to resume his contract.

Pena’s contract ends in 2026, and as issues stand, there have been no talks scheduled for a renewal. For his half, the goalkeeper isn’t involved about it however slightly about regaining his place. Ought to a proposal come, he’ll think about it on the applicable time.