Barcelona get set to take on Rayo Vallecano in a matter of few hours away at Estadio de Vallecas. The Blaugrana will be doing so without two crucial players in the form of Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Gavi is out for the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury, whereas Ter Stegen will be unavailable due to a lower back issue.
Frenkie de Jong’s return from injury helps Xavi & co. make up for Gavi’s absence and as for Ter Stegen, 24-year-old La Masia graduate Inaki Pena is all set to start against Rayo Vallecano today.
Full confidence in Inaki Pena
Even though Pena has been a member of the first-team setup for over a year, the goalkeeper has not had much game-time under Xavi, with Ter Stegen being the undisputed starter between the sticks.
So, there are bound to be some nerves for the youngster as he gears up for his first appearance of the 2023/24 season.
Ahead of the game, there is total confidence in Pena within the Barcelona locker room, as per Mundo Deportivo.
The 24-year-old La Masia product has played just five senior games so far for the Blaugrana, all of which came last season, with two of them being in La Liga. In those five appearances, Pena has let in seven goals in total and has managed just one clean sheet.
There were doubts about Pena’s continuity at Barça earlier this year, when he was left out of the cup matches by Xavi.
But the youngster opted to stay put and signed a new contract until 2026. And now that he is getting his opportunity, Pena will be eager to make the most of it against Rayo.
