Barcelona secured a resounding 5-0 victory over Valencia in the quarter-finals of the Spanish King’s Cup, ensuring their place among the semi-finalists. With the conclusion of the quarter-final matches, the list of teams advancing was finalized.
Real Sociedad reached the semi-finals after overcoming Osasuna, Real Madrid secured their spot by defeating Leganés, and Atlético Madrid also progressed after a win against Getafe. The semi-final draw is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 12, at the Spanish Football Federation headquarters.
Following Barcelona’s qualification, an intriguing situation emerged within the squad. According to reports from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, three key players—Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha—approached head coach Hansi Flick with a special request.
They urged him to reconsider his stance on Spanish goalkeeper Iñaki Peña and reinstate him in the starting lineup. Their plea stemmed from the belief that Peña had been unfairly sidelined after previously showing great promise.
The issue dates back to Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup clash against Athletic Bilbao, where Peña arrived late for the pre-match lecture. As a result, Flick decided to exclude him from the squad and instead relied on Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny as the team’s first-choice option.
Since then, Szczęsny has consistently started matches, including those in the King’s Cup, despite Peña’s commendable performances when given the opportunity.
After Barcelona’s triumph over Valencia, Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha noticed Peña’s visible disappointment. While the rest of the squad celebrated, Peña remained distant, seemingly affected by his ongoing exclusion. His teammates, who have witnessed his dedication and outstanding performances throughout the season, felt he had been treated unfairly.
Determined to support their colleague, the trio directly approached Flick and made their case for Peña’s reintegration into the team. They reportedly told the coach, “We want him back in the squad because he deserves this opportunity.” Although Szczęsny has been a reliable presence in goal, Peña has equally demonstrated his quality whenever he has played.
His consistent performances have earned him the respect of his teammates, who firmly believe he has done enough to warrant another chance.
It remains to be seen whether Flick will heed their request, but the players’ support for Peña highlights the strong camaraderie within the Barcelona squad as they continue their pursuit of Copa del Rey glory.
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