Internal shock at Barcelona over Hansi Flick’s line-up decision against CD Guadalajara – Report | OneFootball

No win for FC Barcelona feels routine anymore, and even a straightforward Copa del Rey Round of 32 victory over CD Guadalajara became a talking point for reasons that had little to do with the football itself.

Goals from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford secured a 2-0 win, but the real headlines were generated before a ball was kicked.

The first disruption came with a half-hour delay caused by issues related to stadium approval for one of the stands. Yet that was quickly overshadowed by Hansi Flick’s unexpected decision to name Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the starting XI.

In the build-up to the match, Flick had confirmed that Joan Garcia would be rested, and his words were widely interpreted as a clear signal that Wojciech Szczesny would start in goal. That was also the understanding inside the club.

As a result, the official lineup caused genuine surprise not only among fans and media but also at the executive and boardroom level, where the expectation had been that Ter Stegen would remain on the bench.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the internal reaction was one of shock because the club’s planned approach appeared to change without warning.

The prevailing idea had been simple. If Garcia is Flick’s undisputed number one and Ter Stegen is not part of the long term plan, then the most logical way to push that message was to leave him out so he would clearly understand the need to seek a move in the January transfer window.

Flick went against that logic by starting the German goalkeeper in Guadalajara. After the match, he insisted the decision applied only to that game and did not reflect the goalkeeping hierarchy.

He even framed it as a gesture of appreciation for Ter Stegen’s service to the club. On the pitch, the goalkeeper justified his selection with a strong performance.

However, concern remains within Barcelona that this appearance could complicate matters. There is awareness of Ter Stegen’s influence and determination when he believes there is an opening.

Having already played once in the competition, the club cannot rule out the possibility that he may push to continue featuring in the Copa del Rey. If Flick were to allow that, it would strengthen Ter Stegen’s case to stay.

From the club’s perspective, the preferred outcome is still a winter departure. Letting Ter Stegen leave would reduce his significant salary burden, limit his presence over Joan Garcia in the dressing room, and potentially stimulate market interest ahead of the summer.

Some figures inside the club even think that the goalkeeper could attempt to align his Copa del Rey appearances with his international ambitions and stay at Barcelona for the second half of the season.

Flick is now tasked with carefully managing a delicate situation. While everything currently points to the Guadalajara match being Ter Stegen’s final appearance in a Barcelona shirt, it is becoming increasingly difficult internally to guarantee that he will not play again.

The coming weeks will be decisive as the player weighs his options and the club looks to maintain control of a plan that suddenly feels less clear than before.