Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena has confirmed his price to the followers and the staff with sturdy performances in two of the season’s most important matches: in opposition to Bayern Munich within the Champions League and Actual Madrid in La Liga.
With Marc-Andre ter Stegen out attributable to damage, Pena has confidently stepped into the beginning function, dispelling doubts and silencing critics alongside the way in which.
His shows between the posts have been instrumental, and regardless of Barcelona signing Szczesny as a further keeper, Pena is aware of his place within the lineup will depend on sustaining his high-performance degree.
As Barcelona’s native derby in opposition to Espanyol approaches, Pena recognises the importance of the match, significantly given its longstanding custom.
For Barça, the town derby is a recreation that gamers are taught to prioritise from a younger age. He’s excited to method this recreation with the identical profitable mentality that has been instilled in him since his early years within the membership’s youth ranks.
“The derby is at all times essential for Barça, it’s the metropolis derby. From the decrease classes we have been taught that it’s the recreation of the 12 months, one which have to be gained. And we have now to play it with that mentality,” he started saying.
Driving excessive on confidence
Inaki Pena has delivered. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
Reflecting on his current performances, particularly his contributions to the staff’s victory over Actual Madrid in El Clasico, Pena feels an awesome sense of delight.
“I’m completely satisfied, very completely satisfied and, above all, a bit extra relaxed. Blissful personally and collectively.”
The enjoyment within the locker room after that win, he believes, is one thing unmatched and motivates him to maintain striving. Coach Hansi Flick’s belief has been a giant a part of his journey.
“The enjoyment I noticed within the dressing room after the sport can’t be changed with any save. The enjoyment of the supervisor, the employees, the squad, the employees… Successful like that on the Bernabéu was an amazing delight.”
Ideas on Hansi Flick and being No. 1
The younger goalkeeper revealed that after the Clasico, Flick was extraordinarily glad together with his efficiency.
“He was very completely satisfied for me, he trusted me, he knew what I might give and he by no means had any doubts about my degree. I noticed him completely satisfied, sure.”
Flick by no means explicitly informed Pena he can be the primary keeper, however has at all times assured him of his confidence, particularly after Ter Stegen’s damage meant Pena needed to step up at Villarreal.
“No. Marc’s damage meant that I needed to play at Villarreal from scratch. The supervisor informed me to remain calm, to solely fear about what he and the goalkeeping coach requested of me and little else.
“He informed me that he trusted me, however he by no means informed me that I used to be going to be primary as a result of he doesn’t should say that.
“In the long run, efficiency is what determines whether or not you play and the reality is that I’m very grateful for the belief,” he mentioned.
Relationship with Szczesny
Inaki Pena and Wojciech Szczesny have an awesome relationship. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
When Barcelona introduced in Szczesny, Pena was unfazed. He understood the membership’s must strengthen such an important place. With video games packed into the schedule, he didn’t dwell on the brand new competitors, understanding that Barcelona wanted depth.
“I by no means had that concern. With video games each three days, I didn’t have time to consider these items an excessive amount of.
“The membership wants to guard itself, particularly ready like goalkeeping. With one goalkeeper from the primary staff and two goalkeepers from the reserve staff, it’s not viable in the long run.
“The membership determined to signal a goalkeeper and so they informed me so, and I’m grateful that they informed me that, it says loads,” he famous.
Szczesny, somewhat than a rival, turned out to be a supportive teammate who inspired Pena to concentrate on self-improvement somewhat than competing instantly with him. This respect has solely strengthened the dynamic in Barcelona’s goalkeeping staff.
“He’s a spectacular particular person, as you’ll be able to see from the skin. I solely knew him as a goalkeeper and since he had performed in a number of the finest groups in Europe.
“The primary day he began speaking to me and informed me that he didn’t come to compete with me, that the one competitors I’ve is with myself, and that shocked me.
“Ready like goalkeeper that’s so aggressive and the place just one particular person performs, he confirmed a respect that he maybe didn’t deserve. He’s 34 years outdated and helps loads.”
Offside traps and their execution
Inaki Pena says Flick calls for loads. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
Barcelona’s tactical setup below Flick has been dangerous however rewarding, typically counting on a excessive defensive position that retains the opposition below strain. This was made evident in opposition to Actual Madrid the place the Los Blancos have been caught offside on a whopping 12 events.
“That is what we have now been coaching since pre-season, for the reason that coach arrived, for the reason that first matches.”
Whereas this exposes them to counterattacks, the staff believes it’s a balanced method to get well their signature type of aggressive play.
“As quickly as we arrived within the locker room, we have been informed that one of many premises to get well good play and have the ability to compete on equal phrases was to press excessive, to not be scared by any rival. You certainly expose your self.”
Flick has emphasised that errors are a part of the method, as excessive urgent prevents many one-on-one conditions and provides Barcelona a strategic edge.
“The coach informed us that he doesn’t care if we make errors, that he doesn’t care in the event that they rating a aim in opposition to us as a result of, being ahead, we keep away from many one-on-ones.
“In the long run, you find yourself evaluating the outcomes. It’s all about steadiness. They’ll rating some and so they’ll catch us in others, however ultimately, all the harmful performs that you just keep away from make you a winner.”
Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi
Inaki Pena just isn’t too nervous concerning the future. (Picture by Pedro Salado/Getty Photographs)
Pena’s staff contains gamers of varied ages, such because the younger Pau Cubarsi and the seasoned Inigo Martíiez.
This mix of youth and expertise has boosted their defence. Nevertheless, Pena is fast to credit score all the staff, as coordinated strain from forwards to defenders is what sustains the defence.
“We’ve spectacularly improved in defence, however ultimately, it’s not only a line of 4. If the forwards don’t press, they expose the midfielders and if they don’t do it, we undergo. Teamwork ought to really feel rewarded.”
The Ballon d’Or fiasco
Reflecting on the current Ballon d’Or awards, Pena recognises that the Spanish winner Rodri has represented each Spain and his membership nicely, particularly with a Euro Cup victory.
He additionally holds nice hopes for his teammate Lamine Yamal, whose unbelievable potential suggests he might be a future Ballon d’Or winner.
“We all know that he makes a distinction from the primary coaching classes we noticed him in. He has one thing totally different, his method, his intuition.
“You possibly can see that he can outline matches, that he’s a special participant. The final European Championship recognised him as a ‘prime’ participant on the planet. He has loads to supply us,” he mentioned.
As for his personal future at Barcelona, Pena stays centered on his present efficiency, understanding that it’s the finest path in direction of a contract renewal when the time comes.
“Sure, however I’m not nervous about it in any respect now. In the long run, efficiency determines renewals, and what the membership goes to resolve about you.
“So I’ve to proceed the identical, preserve taking part in at 100% and giving efficiency. That’s what I would like. For Barça to do what it has to do when it thinks it has to do it. The membership, for the second, has not contacted me,” he concluded.
Inaki Pena’s journey and the present Barcelona squad dynamics spotlight a staff in transition, unified by a powerful mentality and a shared dedication to success.
Supply: Mundo Deportivo