The Barcelona coach avoids the question about the number one goalkeeper position

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has reportedly been wavering between continuing with Iñaki Peña in goal or returning Wojciech Szczesny to a starting role after serving his suspension in the Spanish Super Cup. His take on the matter Friday didn’t make that much clearer.

Flick was asked if Peña or Szczesny would be in goal for their Saturday night trip to Getafe at the Coliseum. The German coach was impressed with the Polish goalkeeper before his sending off against Real Madrid, but Pena was in excellent form both in the final and against Real Betis on Wednesday.

Progress is being made in the renewal of both Pedri and Gavi. The goal is to announce its renewals this month. @martinezferran

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 17, 2025

“Wow. I haven’t spoken to her [goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente] still. “We will sleep one more night and then we will decide.”

Barcelona look unlikely to rotate for their clash with Los Azulones, despite a Champions League tie with Benfica just around the corner next week in Lisbon.

“For us the next game is always the most important. We said after the break that we would just focus on the next game. “I know we have a lot of games, but we are thinking about how to beat Getafe and then we will think about Benfica.”

That includes Pedri, with whom Flick said they had changed focus.

“Will you tell him this or…? (smiles). We changed the philosophy a little with Pedri, because they gave him a little more rest, and we said that it is good to have him on the field because he is an exceptional player, and also because of him and his physical form. It’s good to start and keep playing, and then we’ll see, maybe we’ll eliminate it. “

“At this age he is doing very well and he is handling it well. For me what he is doing on the field is important, and you see it in important games, he is there. He is showing his strengths and he is helping.” “The team and the club are happy with him.”

🗣️Flick on Lamine Yamal pic.twitter.com/A5fX1GWdXe

— Soccer Spain (@footballespana_) January 17, 2025

“We completely changed the philosophy with him, but he is very important for the team and he is everywhere.”