vox888 Barcelona’s 25-year-old goalkeeper Inaki Peña has received full backing from the Azulgrana coach. vox888

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is fully confident in 25-year-old goalkeeper Inaki Peña to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen as his first-choice goalkeeper, even though the Blaugrana are set to sign former Poland international Wojciech Szczesny, Diario Sport reports on Friday.  ( vox888 )

Ter Stegen suffered a serious right knee injury that required surgery and was expected to be out for eight to nine months before Pena made his first start of the season in a 1-0 win over Getafe, while Barcelona are set to bring Szczesny back from retirement on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

When asked if he has faith in Peña as Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the season, 

Flick replied: ‘Why not? He played very well. He kept a clean sheet against Getafe, which is good for confidence. The other goalkeeper is the same as the last game. We have to see. I don’t know what will happen really.’

The German coach also explained that goalkeeping coach José Ramon de la Fuente will play a key role in the transition from Ter Stegen to Inaki Peña, while also talking about the link between the defenders and the goalkeeper.

‘It’s the same with De La, he’s part of our coaching staff as well, he’s a very experienced coach, he’s got a lot of experience, he’s worked and worked with the best goalkeepers, Inaki has been involved in every meeting since the beginning, in everything.’

‘It’s always good to have a good relationship with the players and in the last game you saw that he had a very good connection with Inaki and his teammates.’

Flick has been praised for the fitness of his Barca players, who are able to cope well with the intensity and speed of the game, but the German coach stressed the difference between managing the emotional game is also important.

‘Maybe it’s better to ask the players, I’m not sure. My team and I do our job, we have a great staff, we create an environment where the players can grow, trust in ourselves, in our idea of ​​building football, is the basis of creating an environment where everyone feels at home.’