Barcelona No Longer Waiting for Ter Stegen's Return
Inaki Pena's exceptional performance this season has reduced Barcelona's reliance on Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who remains sidelined due to injury.
Inaki Pena, Barcelona's second-choice goalkeeper, has stepped up remarkably this season, proving himself a reliable option during Marc-Andre ter Stegen's absence due to long-term injuries. Over the past few seasons, Ter Stegen has been a cornerstone for Barcelona, but injuries sidelined him both last season and in the current campaign.
Barcelona initially explored alternatives, including signing Wojciech Szczesny, following Pena's underwhelming performances last season. However, Pena has transformed his game, conceding 12 fewer goals compared to the same number of matches last season. His progress has earned the trust of head coach Hans-Dieter Flick.
This resurgence has rendered Szczesny redundant, with Barcelona now feeling secure about their goalkeeping situation. With Pena's consistent displays in La Liga and the Champions League, the club is less anxious about Ter Stegen's prolonged recovery.