The last match of the La Liga season against Athletic Club at San Mames has sentimental significance for some Barcelona players, as some may be appearing in their final game as Barcelona players in the club’s famous Blaugrana colors.
Having already secured the title, Hansi Flick’s rotation of players provides the opportunity, like last season when João Cancelo, João Felix, and Ilkay Gundogan played their final game against Sevilla, to say goodbyes.
This season, several players are uncertain about their futures, so the match at San Mames may be their final game, as reported by As.
Players that could be departing include Inaki Pena, Ansu Fati, Pablo Torre, and Pau Victor.
Inaki Pena, the academy goalkeeper, played a number of minutes when Marc-Andre ter Stegen was injured, but eventually lost his spot to Wojciech Szczesny in January, in January Pena is likely to want to find a club where he can play regularly and may even get onto the field and play in the second half.
Ansu Fati is in advanced negotiations with Monaco to revitalize his career, so this may be his last game as a Barcelona player.
Pablo Torre did well when he played; not every midfielder can say that, but he has found it difficult to establish himself in the midfield with 2 pending qualifiers.
There is talk of a loan that he desperately needs, at least for a season, to develop.
Finally, Pau Victor, the young striker who came in last summer, has not quite delivered.
Although his contract runs until 2029, he may never reach his potential, and he could now be in line to leave after this match.
While it has been a spectacular season for Barcelona with 99 goals and an unbeaten away record, not every player has earned their right to be part of Flick’s plans going forward.
The San Mames game will provide an opportunity to enjoy the success of the season, but also to say goodbye to those who will not return.
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