FC Barcelona had a very successful pre-season tour of Asia on all accounts, with three wins from three games, lots of goals, and a lot of promise for the upcoming season.
Having won the domestic treble last season, the only way Flick’s men can go one better this time around is by lifting the elusive Champions League title, which has evaded Barcelona for a decade.
On the pre-season tour, Flick made it a point to give almost everyone a chance, observing what they brought to the table, and early patterns began to emerge regarding the potential role of each player.
Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, only two Barcelona players in the touring squad did not play a single minute during the pre-season tour: Inaki Pena and Marc Bernal.
Pena Set for Barcelona Exit, Bernal Still Recovering
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 26: Inaki Pena of FC Barcelona looks on in warm ups prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Barcelona and Stade Brestois 29 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 26, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Inaki Pena is one of the four goalkeepers in the first-team squad for the 2025/26 season, but he is expected to leave the club ahead of the new campaign, with clubs like Celta Vigo and Sevilla in the mix.
Even on the tour, he was one of four goalkeepers and arguably the one who didn’t have a future at the club. Joan Garcia and Szczesny understandably played a lot while Flick also gave Diego Kochen a chance.
The other player, Marc Bernal, is close to making a full recovery from an ACL injury that he suffered last season, but wasn’t used during pre-season as Flick is being cautious with his recovery.
However, there is no doubt that once the Spanish teenager makes a complete recovery, he will be a part of the first-team plans under Hansi Flick. Let’s wait and see how it plays out.