The big win against Valencia not only affected the league standings but also had repercussions on the Barcelona dressing room.
Barcelona achieved a resounding 7-1 victory over Valencia, moving seven points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.
According to information from the newspaper “El Nacional,” one of the names that expressed their opinion after the match was goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, who did not hide his frustration at being a substitute again in such a decisive match. The player, who had been a key presence in the Barcelona goal and delivered excellent performances this season, made it clear to Hansi Flick that he was not willing to accept a secondary role in the team.
Tensions had already begun to rise. In the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid, Peña was also not a starter and came on as an emergency substitution after the Polish goalkeeper was sent off, which surprised many given the good form he had shown since joining the team.
Peña had a direct conversation with Flick, where he made it clear that he would not accept being a mere substitute at Barcelona, especially in light of Ter Stegen’s injury. The player believes that his quality and experience make him a key option in the German coach’s plans.
Barcelona’s coach will need to manage this internal conflict carefully. While Flick is aware of Peña’s importance to the project, he also knows that Szczesny has yet to lose a match with Barcelona despite his repeated mistakes.
For now, Peña is still working to prove that he deserves a place in the starting lineup. With crucial matches approaching, Barcelona will need the best version of their players, and Flick will have to make decisions that could determine the course of the season.