Tension Surrounds Iñaki Peña’s Exclusion as Barcelona Leaders Question Flick
After Barcelona’s commanding 4-1 win over Sevilla in La Liga, the atmosphere in the dressing room was tense due to the unexpected exclusion of goalkeeper Iñaki Peña from the starting lineup. German coach Hansi Flick had opted to start Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny instead, a decision that raised concerns among the Barcelona leadership.
According to Sport, Barcelona’s leadership team approached Flick to inquire about Peña’s omission, especially as no clear explanation had been given. They specifically sought clarification, as they believed the issue had nothing to do with Peña’s previous lateness to a match—a matter that, according to players in the dressing room, had not resulted in any consequences for others this season.
The players’ respect for Peña was evident, as they urged Flick to reconsider his decision and reinstate the goalkeeper, citing his impressive performances when called upon in the past. The leadership’s intervention highlights the internal tensions and concerns surrounding the squad dynamics as Barcelona seeks to address this ongoing situation.
