After playing a major role in Barcelona’s La Liga victory last season, naturally, the recent injury to Ter Stegen came across as a significant blow.
The German suffered from back discomfort with the German national team and ended up having to go through surgery after attempting to recover through conservative treatment for over a month.
However, Ter Stegen’s absence has given rise to the emergence of Inaki Pena, who seems to be grabbing these opportunities with full conviction, despite a nervy initial encounter against Rayo Vallecano.
Barcelona are pleased with Pena
Now, as per Fabrizio Romano (h/t barcacentre), Barça are immensely happy with Inaki Pena and they deem him to be a backup goalkeeper with a lot of quality.
While the Catalan giants were offered goalkeepers after Ter Stegen’s injury, Barcelona saw it best to discard those alternatives, with trust in Pena’s abilities and a belief that their starting goalkeeper will not be out for too long.
Barcelona’s recent form may lead onlookers to believe otherwise, but the La Masia graduate has stepped up remarkably between the sticks since being entrusted with a starting role.
Against FC Porto and Atletico Madrid, Pena produced two stunning displays on the trot with excellent awareness to come off his line and shot-stopping ability.
Despite the draw, even against Valencia most recently, the 24-year-old denied Valencia from opening the score-line early in the game, preventing a well-placed shot by Yaremchuk.
And in light of his recent form, Barcelona are fully pleased to have Pena as their back-up goalkeeper in the absence of Ter Stegen.
The young keeper has previously acknowledged Ter Stegen as one of the best in the world and could go a long way if he looks to follow in his footsteps.
