Barcelona veteran ‘one step above’ homegrown star for Hansi Flick – report | OneFootball

With Barcelona set to take on Getafe on Saturday in La Liga, one of the major decisions that manager Hansi Flick has to make concerns his goalkeeping department.

The German tactician has to choose between La Masia ace Inaki Pena, who took over the No. 1 spot after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury and Wojciech Szczesny, the man signed as an emergency replacement for the injured captain.

Pena had the position locked down for most of the season thus far, but his tardiness cost him a spot in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, with the 34-year-old Szczesny, who had featured only one time until then vs Barbastro, getting the nod.

The veteran made a big impression against Athletic Club – enough for Flick to stick with him for the final against Real Madrid, where he again performed well until his red card.

Szczesny ahead of Pena for Flick?

Now, journalist Laia Tudel reports that at the moment Hansi Flick sees Wojciech Szczesny as being ‘one step above’ Inaki Pena, even though he is very happy with the Spaniard’s performances.

Pena to lose his starting spot? (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Flick’s view of Szczesny being slightly ahead of Pena has nothing to do with the La Masia graduate’s tardiness issue.

Instead, the Barcelona manager is of the belief that the former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper provides a greater sense of security between the sticks thanks to his greater experience.

When asked about the starting goalkeeper for Saturday’s match against Getafe during his press conference earlier today, Flick did not give anything away, saying:

“I haven’t spoken to De la Fuente [goalkeeping coach]. We will decide tomorrow.”

However, if the aforementioned report is true, there is a good chance that it is Szczesny who gets the nod in goal over Pena.

Either way, tomorrow’s selection will likely set the tone for the rest of the season as to who will be the starting goalkeeper.