Hansi Flick prioritized him, after Ter Stegen's injury, out of respect for his seniority in the team, but Iñaki Peña never had the confidence of the German coach.
Meanwhile, the signing of Wojciech Szczęsny was very special. At 35 years old, he had already been retired from football for three months since he announced his departure from Juventus.
Flick waited for Szczęsny to get back in shape after his retirement
That is to say, he was coming from an extended vacation and with his mind on things other than football.
Hansi Flick opted to give him time until he got back in shape and became the same player who finished the season with Juventus.
Szczęsny has behaved very professionally during this time. Condemned to the bench, not a single word came from him demanding more prominence, and Flick has appreciated it.
Meanwhile, in training, he has shown his progress to the point of considering that he was already back to the level that made him an international goalkeeper.
Lack of punctuality from Iñaki Peña?
He has decided to bet on him. There are urban legends claiming that Szczęsny's prominence is based on Iñaki Peña's lack of punctuality.
Curiously, Iñaki Peña has performed above what was expected of him after years in Ter Stegen's shadow. And the drama that was anticipated with the German's injury was minimized by his performances.
Hansi Flick has changed his mind. Now he sees Wojciech Szczęsny ready to defend Barça's goal and has given him the reins. He has publicly confessed that it has been the most difficult decision he has made at Barça.
He could have said that both goalkeepers have his confidence. He could also have alternated them. But he has been very concerned with making it clear in public that from now on the starting goalkeeper will always be Wojciech Szczęsny.
Iñaki Peña will not play for Barça again
The five matches that Barça has played so far with Wojciech Szczęsny defending their goal have ended with many doubts about his performance. Penalties, absurd goals, false starts...
Flick has tried to save him by saying that Barça has won the five matches they played with Szczęsny as goalkeeper. But he could also have interpreted that his team won the five matches despite the Polish goalkeeper.
Nothing seems to affect Flick, who is very convinced that his decision is the best. To the point that he has already told Iñaki Peña to his face to find a team because he will not be a starter at Barça again.
And Iñaki Peña is already on it. He has two offers, one from the Spanish LaLiga and another from the Turkish Galatasaray, where he already played on loan. Surely his notable performances with Barça haven't gone unnoticed in the market.