Barcelona’s recent defeat to Las Palmas at Montjuïc has raised concerns within the club and put several players under scrutiny. This loss marked their third league defeat of the season, following previous setbacks against Osasuna and Real Sociedad, leaving them close to losing their lead in La Liga.
According to El Nacional, one player in particular, Iñaki Peña, has been under the spotlight. After Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury, Peña became the starting goalkeeper, but his performances have not met the club’s expectations. In the Las Palmas match, despite facing minimal threat, Peña conceded two goals from the only two shots on target, further fueling doubts about his abilities. Fans have expressed their frustration on social media, criticizing Peña for failing to deliver in a crucial moment of the season.
The absence of Ter Stegen has left a significant gap, and so far, Peña has not been able to fill it. Even coach Hansi Flick, aware of the importance of a reliable goalkeeper and the rising tensions within the squad, is reportedly considering a change.
Sources suggest that Flick is contemplating giving the starting position to Wojciech Szczesny, who joined the team as a free agent after initially announcing his retirement. While Szczesny’s arrival was unexpected, it offers some hope. With vast experience at top clubs like Juventus and Arsenal, he is seen as an emergency option. Although he has not yet played, he has been training intensively and may soon make his first appearance in goal.
Flick views Szczesny as a short-term solution who can bring experience and stability during this challenging period. With mounting pressure from fans and a deepening results crisis, Flick seems ready to make significant decisions to restore the team’s form, with dropping Peña from the starting lineup being the first step toward that goal.
