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There has been much discussion regarding Barcelona players' continuous injuries this season. However, the club's most critical issue this season is the goalkeeper situation. With Marc-André ter Stegen likely out for the rest of the season owing to a knee injury, the Catalan giants needed to find a replacement for one of their key players. Despite having Iñaki Peña as an alternative, the club was not fully convinced by his presence alone.
Speaking to the media about the team's injury plight, especially Inaki's situation, Barca manager Hansi Flick said he has no plans to replace Inaki Pena from his XI despite the arrival of Wojeciech Szczesny. It is worth noting that the Catalan club signed the Polish custodian last October as a more than viable option to provide depth to the position. However, Szczęsny has not yet played with Barcelona, which has created some controversy about when he will have the opportunity to make his debut, especially given Iñaki Peña's contrasting performances.
Inaki is our starter: Hansi confident about Inaki Pena
In a recent press conference before the La Liga match against Mallorca, Hansi Flick stated that Szczęsny was training well but he does not intend to replace the present Barcelona goalkeeper. “For sure Szczęsny is performing well in training… but there’s no plan to change the goalkeeper. Iñaki is the starting goalkeeper as I have said before and that is how it is," he said. It is to be noted that Pena has improved his performance since joining the team, but the question remains about whether he has what it takes to be Barcelona's no. 1.
Dani Olmo will start against Mallorca
Hansi Flick took the opportunity to discuss the return of one of his players, Marc Casadó, who was unable to play against UD Las Palmas owing to his expulsion in the previous match against Celta de Vigo (2-2). The Barcelona manager also revealed Dani Olmo will start against Mallorca, although Ronald Araujo will not be available, despite training with the squad.
“All the players except Ronald, although he is doing very well and is very close to playing. The sensations are very good, and it is very important that he goes step by step. Olmo is back, to be a starter,” Flick confirmed.
