As Barcelona prepares to face Getafe in La Liga on Saturday, manager Hansi Flick is faced with a crucial decision regarding his goalkeeping options. A key choice awaits the German tactician.
Flick must weigh his options between two goalkeepers: Inaki Pena, the talented La Masia product who assumed the starting role following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury, and Wojciech Szczesny, the experienced goalkeeper brought in as an emergency replacement for the injured captain.
Inaki Pena had been the clear first-choice goalkeeper for most of the season, but his recent disciplinary issue led to a surprise opportunity for Wojciech Szczesny. The 34-year-old veteran goalkeeper had made only one previous appearance, but he seized his chance, impressing against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
Szczesny’s strong display earned him a consecutive start in the final against Real Madrid, where he performed admirably until being sent off. His sudden rise to prominence has sparked speculation about the goalkeeping pecking order.
According to journalist Laia Tudel, Hansi Flick currently views Wojciech Szczesny as the superior option, describing him as being ‘one step above’ Inaki Pena. Notably, this assessment comes despite Flick’s apparent satisfaction with Pena’s performances, suggesting a close competition between the two goalkeepers.
Hansi Flick’s preference for Wojciech Szczesny is unrelated to Inaki Pena’s disciplinary issues. Flick believes Szczesny’s experience provides greater stability in goal.
Flick values Szczesny’s extensive background, having played for top-tier clubs like Arsenal and Juventus. This experience is seen as a valuable asset by the Barcelona manager.
During his press conference, Flick remained tight-lipped about his starting goalkeeper for Saturday’s match against Getafe. He stated that a decision would be made after consulting with goalkeeping coach De la Fuente.
“I haven’t spoken to De la Fuente [goalkeeping coach]. We will decide tomorrow.”
If the recent report holds merit, it’s likely that Wojciech Szczesny will be chosen to start in goal ahead of Inaki Pena. This decision would have significant implications for the team’s goalkeeping situation.
Regardless of who gets the nod, tomorrow’s selection will likely have a lasting impact on the remainder of the season, potentially establishing a clear pecking order between Szczesny and Pena for the starting goalkeeper position.
