What will happen to Iñaki Peña and Wojciech Szczesny at FC Barcelona?

"It's not how you start, but how you finish," said Michael Schumacher in the pre-season of the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship. The seven-time world champion did not start well in pre-season training with his new team, Mercedes, and left this iconic quote. Although the tournament ended up being won by his compatriot, Sebastian Vettel, the sentence that the German left for history is applicable to the case of Iñaki Peña and Wojciech Szczesny. The Alicante native was the starter after Ter Stegen's injury but, after the debut of the Pole, the debate was over.

When a Polish goalkeeper with a name and surname that are difficult to pronounce arrived in Barcelona on October 1, 2024, it seemed that the position as Barça's goalkeeper was assigned. Despite the fact that he had been retired for 2 months and that he would have to get back into shape, under the demanding gaze of Hansi Flick's staff, everything suggested that in a couple of weeks he would be irremovable. However, that did not happen, as he was on the bench for 14 games and did not have a chance until 2025. Meanwhile, in what should have been his work area, Peña was leaving good impressions.

The Barcelona youth player had been the starting goalkeeper for a stretch of the 23/24 season, after another injury to Ter Stegen. However, the sensations were not satisfactory and the numbers even less so: he received 32 goals in 17 games and kept 3 clean sheets. It must be contextualized, since Barça was a very irregular team, in attack and defense. Not everything was the goalkeeper's fault, although his performance was not what was required for the position. However, this season, perhaps motivated by the possibility of being above an experienced 'Tek', he managed to rise from the ashes.

New year, new life

The football world was in turmoil at the sight of the former starting goalkeeper for Arsenal, Roma and Juventus on the bench, while an inexperienced Iñaki was immovable. Flick saw no reason for the change and the injured party, with an exemplary attitude, said that he would do the same as his coach was doing. However, removing prejudices and precedents from the equation, Peña played 19 games and conceded 22 goals, as well as keeping 6 clean sheets. The performance of the underdog was up to the needs.

However, with the arrival of 2025 and the application of the famous "new year, new life", everything changed in Barbastro. FC Barcelona resolved its debut in the Copa del Rey with a comfortable 0-4. However, the news was Szczesny's debut as a Barça goalkeeper. He didn't have much work, but he did well in what he had to do. Hansi must have been left wanting more and he made him play against Athletic in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup. His good performance against a more high-level rival and a delay by his competitor made him play the final against Real Madrid. The Warsaw native ended up being sent off for a foul on Rodrygo, but the position was already his.

The Barcelona coach's speech changed as the weeks went by. His new choice had made serious mistakes consecutively, but he also brought him qualities that his competitor did not. In a press conference, he ended up being clear: "Tek is number one." The overtaking was publicly confirmed. The German explained the reasons: "We have chosen him precisely because of his personality, his way of doing things, his style as a goalkeeper, how he plays. He has always been very good. Both are great as goalkeepers. And we also have our younger talents, who are doing very well. [...] The decision that has been made is what it is and we have to move forward with it. It has nothing to do with whether it is Iñaki or 'Tek'. It has to do with the team's perspective and we always decide what is best for the team. That is how I want to do things."

Both files have uncertain futures

With the cards on the table, the situation is what it is. The debate no longer exists, because the one in charge has settled it. However, the doubt that has not been resolved is the future. The Pole signed a contract until the end of the season, but his performance suggests that his contract could be extended. On the other hand, Peña has a contract until 2026 and surely there will be no shortage of clubs that want to sign him. In addition, Ter Stegen will recover from his injury and will want to return to his position, we will see if he can in May, as he wants, or he will have to wait until next season.

The fact is that Barça has three goalkeepers on its payroll with equally ambitious aspirations and that is not sustainable. One will have to leave and another accept being a substitute. Another option is for two to leave and a young replacement to be signed, who promises long-term security in the Blaugrana goal. The situation is complicated, as the outcome of the situation is still unknown. We will have to listen to Schumacher and wait to see how the season ends, as it is still too early to decide.