Barcelona manager Hansi Flick – “Inaki Pena can be our goalkeeper for the rest of the season”
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick once again used his press conference to back Inaki Pena, after expressing his full confidence in the 25-year-old ahead of their clash against Getafe.
The Catalan giants are said to be bringing Wojciech Szczesny out of retirement, although they are said to be demanding he give up the number one spot to do so. Pena made his first start on Tuesday but had little to do, and Flick was asked if he could be their starting goalkeeper the rest of the way.
“Why not? He is very good, he had a clean game against Getafe, which is good for confidence. Regarding another goalkeeper, it is the same as the other night, we have to wait and see. I don't know what will actually happen.”
Lamine Yamal could rest against Osasuna in Pamplona. @jaumemarcet
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 27, 2024
Flick explained that goalkeeper coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente would be key to the transition between Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Inaki Pena, as he was asked about the connection between the defense and the goalkeeper.
“It is the same with De la. He is also part of our staff. He is a very experienced coach, he has a lot of experience. He has worked and worked with the best goalkeepers. Inaki, from the beginning she was involved in every meeting, in everything .
“It's always good to have good connections with the players, and in the last game you could see, there was a very good connection between Inaki and his teammates.”
“You tell him to rest (laughs). It's incredible, I've never had this before. After the games, we tell him: OK, you can recover with treatment, he says no, he wants to be on the field. He's a great. professional, yes take care of yourself.” It's not normal.
Flick on Kounde. #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/40qvGhyRv1
— Football España (@footballespana_) September 27, 2024
With the games coming thick and fast, the team's physicality was praised, but a difference between how Barcelona handled the games emotionally was also highlighted to Flick.
“Maybe it's better to ask the players, I'm not sure. My team and I do our job, we have a fantastic staff. We create an environment where the players can grow, trust us, in our idea of designing football , is the basis of creating an environment in which everyone feels at home”.
Barcelona will be chasing an eighth consecutive triumph against Osasuna at El Sadar, in a difficult day against Los Rojillo. The Blaugrana also have doubts over the fitness of Inigo Martinez, Raphinha and Marc Casado, with none of the four completing a full training session on Friday. Osasuna are unbeaten in Pamplona this season so far, and have won three of their four matches.
