Barça Players Appeal to Hansi Flick Over Iñaki Peña’s Punishment
Several Barcelona players have personally approached Hans-Dieter Flick in an attempt to lift the disciplinary action against Iñaki Peña, who has lost his starting spot in recent weeks despite delivering strong performances.
Peña’s demotion stems from arriving late to a tactical meeting before the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Athletic Club Bilbao. Since then, he has been relegated to a backup role behind Wojciech Szczesny, whom Flick has confirmed will remain the team’s first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the season.
While Szczesny has maintained an unbeaten record when on the pitch, some squad members believe he does not deserve to be an undisputed starter, especially given Peña’s impressive displays in crucial moments. However, Flick remains firm in his decision, continuing to sideline the 25-year-old due to his lapse in discipline.
Iñaki Peña’s Uncertain Future at Barcelona Amid Flick’s Stance
Hans-Dieter Flick remains unwavering in his decision to sideline Iñaki Peña, despite the goalkeeper’s significant contributions since Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury. The Barça manager has made it clear that he will not reconsider his stance, even as several players advocate for Peña’s reinstatement.
Meanwhile, Wojciech Szczesny continues to enjoy Flick’s full confidence, despite his inconsistent performances, including a red card in El Clásico and costly mistakes in the defeat to Benfica. Peña, therefore, has no choice but to accept his backup role, regardless of his teammates’ efforts to have him reinstated.
Peña’s Future at Barça in Doubt
This situation has cast uncertainty over Peña’s future at the club. With his contract expiring in 2026 and renewal talks currently stalled, he may consider leaving Barcelona in search of a team that guarantees him a starting spot if his situation does not improve.
