Barcelona has made significant strides toward qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League after the team’s epic victory over Benfica in Lisbon.
Barcelona is now preparing for a decisive match tomorrow in La Liga against Osasuna in the 27th round of the competition. The Catalan team aspires to widen the gap at the top with its closest pursuers before the second leg against Benfica in the Champions League.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, it seems that the future of Iñaki Peña at Barcelona is nearing its end. Sources close to the club have indicated that Hansi Flick does not rely on the Spanish goalkeeper in his project, as he believes Peña does not have the required level to compete in a team of Barcelona’s caliber. This decision has prompted Deco, the club’s sporting director, to actively search for a solution for the goalkeeper, with many options already available.
Iñaki Peña had the opportunity to prove his worth after Marc-André ter Stegen was injured at the beginning of the season, but his performance failed to convince the coach or the management. Although the young goalkeeper showed some good moments, crucial errors in important matches have shown that he is not yet ready to be the first-choice goalkeeper for a team that aims to compete for titles.
The signing of Wojciech Szczęsny was a clear indication of Barcelona’s lack of confidence in Peña. The Polish goalkeeper, who has extensive experience at elite clubs such as Juventus and Arsenal, has become the team’s first choice, relegating Peña to a secondary role. Flick, who places great importance on security and experience in key positions, has made it clear that he does not see Peña as a suitable option in the medium or long term.
Although Peña proved his worth during previous loan spells, such as his time at Galatasaray where he performed well, his time at Barcelona seems to be over. The club does not want to close the door on a young player who has given so much for the shirt, but the demands of competing at the highest level require difficult decisions to be made.
For Iñaki Peña, these circumstances represent an opportunity to relaunch his career. At 26 years old, the goalkeeper still has room for improvement, and he may find an opportunity to play regularly and gain the confidence he needs at another club. Ideally, he could join a team where he can be a starter and prove himself, which would help him develop further.