The Barcelona leadership recently approached German coach Hansi Flick to seek clarification regarding the exclusion of one of the club’s key players from the starting lineup.
Their inquiry came after the team secured an impressive 4-1 victory over Sevilla in the 23rd round of La Liga. Following this significant win, Flick granted the squad a three-day break from training, allowing the players to rest and recuperate.
Despite the positive result on the pitch, tensions within the Barcelona dressing room have remained high, particularly concerning the omission of goalkeeper Iñaki Peña from the starting lineup. Flick’s decision to favor Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny over Peña has raised eyebrows among both players and club officials.
According to a report from the Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona’s leaders confronted Flick directly, seeking an explanation for Peña’s exclusion. They wanted to understand whether there was a specific reason behind the decision or if any underlying factors were influencing it.
The lack of a clear justification from the coach has only fueled further speculation within the club.
The newspaper also clarified that Peña’s absence from the lineup was not linked to a past disciplinary issue. Earlier in the season, Peña had arrived late before one of the matches, but several other players had committed similar infractions without facing any repercussions.
This led many within the squad to believe that his exclusion was not a punishment but rather a purely technical decision by Flick.
Barcelona’s players hold Peña in high regard, acknowledging his contributions to the team when called upon. Many within the squad reportedly urged Flick to reconsider his stance and reinstate the Spanish goalkeeper, especially given his impressive performances in previous matches.
As the situation unfolds, the internal dynamics of the Barcelona dressing room remain under scrutiny. The handling of Peña’s exclusion has sparked discussions about team selection, discipline, and the influence of senior players on coaching decisions. While Flick has the final say in tactical choices, the growing concern among the squad and leadership suggests that this issue may not fade away easily.
Whether Peña will regain his place in the starting eleven remains uncertain, but the ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance Flick must maintain to keep both the management and the players satisfied.
For now, Barcelona’s attention will shift to their upcoming fixtures, with fans eagerly awaiting how the goalkeeping situation develops in the coming weeks.
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