Hansi Flick confirms Barcelona star was dropped vs Athletic ‘because it was the 3rd time he was late’ | OneFootball

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that his decision to drop Iñaki Peña to the bench for the club’s meeting with Athletic Club came as a punishment.

Goalkeeper Peña played no part on Wednesday night, as Barcelona booked their spot in the final of the Spanish Super Cup at the expense of Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic.

This came as something of a surprise, with the 25-year-old having played a leading role for the Blaugrana since Marc-André ter Stegen’s long-term injury.

At the time, reports spread in the media that Peña’s absence may have come as a form of punishment.

Speaking in his latest press conference ahead of facing off with Real Madrid on Sunday, the subject of these claims was in turn put to the aforementioned Hansi Flick.

And Barca’s headmaster was not shy in admitting:

“I punished Iñaki Peña in the semi-final against Athletic Club because it was the 3rd time he was late. So I benched him.”

Conor Laird – GSFN