“God I’m so unsure”, “My only serious concern” - Barcelona fans express doubt with 25-year-old in line-up to face Real Madrid in El Clasico
Some Barcelona fans online expressed concerns about goalkeeper Inaki Pena in their starting line-up to face Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday, October 26. Pena has been a regular starter for the Catalan side since their first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen's season-ending injury in September.
The starting line-up for their LaLiga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu could head for a potential 4-2-3-1 structure. Alejandro Balde, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, and Jules Kounde form the backline. Pedri and Marc Casado form the midfield. Raphina, Fermin Lopez, and Lamine Yamal feature in the attack with Robert Lewandowski as the sole striker. Inaki Pena guards the goal.
Fans on X expressed their doubts about Inaki Pena starting against Real Madrid ahead of the El Clasico. One user wrote:
"God i’m so unsure about peña but let’s go."
"Pena again!! Whatever Flick is looking for, he'd find it," another fan jibed.
"Pena is the only suicide bomber here," another user added.
"Perfect but Pena instead of Szczęsny..," a Culer opined.
Some of the other reactions were as follows:
"Can pena stand Vinicius,mbappe or valverde’s shots? That my only serious concern."
"Why still using Peña man. Madrid will definitely get many shots on target ..," another person commented.
"pena 🤡," a fan chimed in.
"Pena brother pls," a fan joked.
The excitement for tonight's El Clasico is much more than usual as both teams have a lot at stake. It is the perfect chance for Barcelona to make a comeback against Real Madrid after losing the last four Clasicos. It will also be a major boost to their title-winning hopes after losing it to Los Blancos last season.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are currently on a 42-games-unbeaten streak in LaLiga. A win or draw against La Blaugrana tonight could see them equal the Catalan side's 43-games-unbeaten record in LaLiga between 2017 and 2018.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny makes feelings clear when asked if he should start over Inaki Pena in El Clasico
In a recent interview, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was asked whether he would start himself in the El Clasico as a manager. The Pole responded (via Barca Universal):
"No. Iñaki Peña has not given him a reason to put him on the bench. We talked a lot. I already told the manager that I am 100% fit, but the team is working well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Former Juventus keeper Wojciech Szczesny joined Barcelona on a one-year-deal despite announcing his retirement a month before. His emergency signing came after goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a season-ending knee injury during Barca's 5-1 win over Villarreal in LaLiga on September 22.
Despite The Pole's signing, Inaki Pena has been a starter for Barcelona since Stegen's injury. The 25-year-old has conceded six goals in seven matches across competitions since Stegen's injury. He has also maintained three clean sheets.