Inaki Pena talks Flick, Szczesny, Cubarsi, Inigo, Yamal, El Clasico, Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena has proven his worth to the fans and the team with strong performances in two of the season’s most critical matches: against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga.

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen out due to injury, Pena has confidently stepped into the starting role, dispelling doubts and silencing critics along the way.

His displays between the posts have been instrumental, and despite Barcelona signing Szczesny as an additional keeper, Pena knows his place in the lineup depends on maintaining his high-performance level.

As Barcelona’s local derby against Espanyol approaches, Pena recognises the significance of the match, particularly given its longstanding tradition.

For Barça, the city derby is a game that players are taught to prioritise from a young age. He is excited to approach this game with the same winning mentality that has been instilled in him since his early years in the club’s youth ranks.

“The derby is always crucial for Barça, it is the city derby. From the lower categories we were taught that it is the game of the year, one that must be won. And we have to play it with that mentality,” he began saying.

Riding high on confidence

Inaki Pena has delivered. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Reflecting on his recent performances, especially his contributions to the team’s victory over Real Madrid in El Clasico, Pena feels a great sense of pride.

“I’m happy, very happy and, above all, a little more relaxed. Happy personally and collectively.”

The joy in the locker room after that win, he believes, is something unmatched and motivates him to keep striving. Coach Hansi Flick’s trust has been a big part of his journey.

“The joy I saw in the dressing room after the game cannot be replaced with any save. The joy of the manager, the staff, the squad, the workers… Winning like that at the Bernabéu was a tremendous pride.”

Thoughts on Hansi Flick and being No. 1

The young goalkeeper revealed that after the Clasico, Flick was extremely satisfied with his performance.

“He was very happy for me, he trusted me, he knew what I could give and he never had any doubts about my level. I saw him happy, yes.”

Flick never explicitly told Pena he would be the number one keeper, but has always assured him of his confidence, especially after Ter Stegen’s injury meant Pena had to step up at Villarreal.

“No. Marc’s injury meant that I had to play at Villarreal from scratch. The manager told me to stay calm, to only worry about what he and the goalkeeping coach asked of me and little else.

“He told me that he trusted me, but he never told me that I was going to be number one because he doesn’t have to say that.

“In the end, performance is what determines whether you play and the truth is that I am very grateful for the trust,” he said.

Relationship with Szczesny

Inaki Pena and Wojciech Szczesny have a great relationship. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

When Barcelona brought in Szczesny, Pena was unfazed. He understood the club’s need to strengthen such a crucial position. With games packed into the schedule, he did not dwell on the new competition, knowing that Barcelona needed depth.

“I never had that concern. With games every three days, I didn’t have time to think about these things too much.

“The club needs to protect itself, especially in a position like goalkeeping. With one goalkeeper from the first team and two goalkeepers from the reserve team, it’s not viable in the long term.

“The club decided to sign a goalkeeper and they told me so, and I’m grateful that they told me that, it says a lot,” he noted.

Szczesny, rather than a rival, turned out to be a supportive teammate who encouraged Pena to focus on self-improvement rather than competing directly with him. This respect has only strengthened the dynamic in Barcelona’s goalkeeping team.

“He is a spectacular person, as you can see from the outside. I only knew him as a goalkeeper and because he had played in some of the best teams in Europe.

“The first day he started talking to me and told me that he didn’t come to compete with me, that the only competition I have is with myself, and that shocked me.

“In a position like goalkeeper that is so competitive and where only one person plays, he showed a respect that he perhaps didn’t deserve. He is 34 years old and helps a lot.”

Offside traps and their execution

Inaki Pena says Flick demands a lot. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s tactical setup under Flick has been risky but rewarding, often relying on a high defensive line that keeps the opposition under pressure. This was made evident against Real Madrid where the Los Blancos were caught offside on a whopping 12 occasions.

“This is what we have been training since pre-season, since the coach arrived, since the first matches.”

While this exposes them to counterattacks, the team believes it is a balanced approach to recover their signature style of aggressive play.

“As soon as we arrived in the locker room, we were told that one of the premises to recover good play and be able to compete on equal terms was to press high, not to be scared by any rival. You indeed expose yourself.”

Flick has emphasised that mistakes are part of the process, as high pressing prevents many one-on-one situations and gives Barcelona a strategic edge.

“The coach told us that he doesn’t care if we make mistakes, that he doesn’t care if they score a goal against us because, being forward, we avoid many one-on-ones.

“In the end, you end up comparing the results. It’s all about balance. They’ll score some and they’ll catch us in others, but in the end, all the dangerous plays that you avoid make you a winner.”

Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi

Inaki Pena is not too worried about the future. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

Pena’s team includes players of various ages, such as the young Pau Cubarsi and the seasoned Inigo Martíiez.

This combination of youth and experience has boosted their defence. However, Pena is quick to credit the entire team, as coordinated pressure from forwards to defenders is what sustains the defence.

“We have spectacularly improved in defence, but in the end, it is not just a line of four. If the forwards do not press, they expose the midfielders and if they do not do it, we suffer. Teamwork should feel rewarded.”

The Ballon d’Or fiasco

Reflecting on the recent Ballon d’Or awards, Pena recognises that the Spanish winner Rodri has represented both Spain and his club well, especially with a Euro Cup victory.

He also holds great hopes for his teammate Lamine Yamal, whose incredible potential suggests he could be a future Ballon d’Or winner.

“We know that he makes a difference from the first training sessions we saw him in. He has something different, his way, his instinct.

“You can see that he can define matches, that he is a different player. The last European Championship recognised him as a ‘top’ player in the world. He has a lot to offer us,” he said.

As for his own future at Barcelona, Pena stays focused on his current performance, knowing that it is the best path towards a contract renewal when the time comes.

“Yes, but I’m not worried about it at all now. In the end, performance determines renewals, and what the club is going to decide about you.

“So I have to continue the same, keep playing at 100% and giving a good performance. That’s what I want. For Barça to do what it has to do when it thinks it has to do it. The club, for the moment, has not contacted me,” he concluded.

Inaki Pena’s journey and the current Barcelona squad dynamics highlight a team in transition, unified by a strong mentality and a shared commitment to success.

Source: Mundo Deportivo