Barcelona’s recent defeat to Las Palmas at Montjuïc has raised concerns within the club, putting several players under scrutiny. This loss marked Barcelona’s third league defeat of the season, following setbacks against Osasuna and Real Sociedad.
Now, the team risks losing their position at the top of La Liga, intensifying the pressure on both players and management.
One player under the spotlight is Iñaki Peña, who has stepped into the role of first-choice goalkeeper following an injury to Marc-André ter Stegen. Peña’s performance has been met with criticism, particularly in the match against Las Palmas.
Despite the visitors posing minimal offensive threats, their only two shots on target resulted in goals. This has fueled doubts about Peña’s reliability and readiness to shoulder such a critical responsibility for Barcelona.
The Catalan newspaper Sport highlighted the growing concerns surrounding Peña’s ability to deliver at the highest level. His inability to provide a sense of security between the posts has led to speculation about alternative options.
The defeat to Las Palmas, where defensive errors and a lack of decisive goalkeeping were evident, has made his position increasingly vulnerable.
In response to these concerns, Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, has reportedly decided to make a significant change ahead of the upcoming La Liga clash against Real Mallorca.
Flick plans to replace Peña with Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who has expressed his readiness to take on the role. Szczęsny’s experience and composure are expected to bring stability to Barcelona’s defense, with Flick hoping the move will address the team’s ongoing goalkeeping struggles.
This decision underscores the urgency of finding solutions to Barcelona’s recent defensive issues as they aim to regain their footing in the league.
The outcome of tomorrow’s match will not only test Szczęsny’s ability to meet expectations but also shape the team’s prospects in the title race.
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