Iñaki Peña saved Barça from ridicule in Plzen and Pablo Torre made it clear that he has character and a goal
Marc Casadó is here to give him more opportunities and Álvaro Sanz is always there when he is needed
Xavi Hernández relied on the youngest to get through the Plzen procedure and they did not disappoint him. In fact, the presence of Iñaki Peña and Pablo Torre from the beginning, and of Marc Casadó and Álvaro Sanz afterwards, was one of the few positive conclusions to be drawn in Barça’s sad farewell to the Champions League. Players who ask for a step and are the ones who must continue the generational change that is being carried out, initiated by the Ansu, Pedri, Gavi and company.
Ter Stegen has competition
If someone has shown patience and has earned ownership, this is Iñaki Peña. After five years of waiting and a loan last season at Galatasaray, where he was finally able to play at the Camp Nou although with another shirt, the player from Alicante defended Barça’s goal. And with a remarkable performance. He conceded two goals, but saved many more. He tallied six stops and kept the type.
Iñaki Peña is a guaranteed goalkeeper to replace Ter Stegen when necessary, and why not, even challenge him for ownership.
Pablo, from less to more
Let no one be fooled by his physical appearance and his exquisite football. Pablo Torre has character and personality. He demonstrated it at the Doosan Arena when Petrescu pointed out the Spaniard’s penalty on Chorý and insisted to the Romanian that what he had interpreted as a push was a legal charge. Yes, he seemed nervous in the initial stages, the positional game is not easy to master for someone who came from other football concepts, but Paul is one of those who perseveres.
It was his great opportunity, his first start and he couldn’t let it slip away. Quality goal, control with the right foot and shot placed with the left foot and scare in the calf. But he can still give much more of himself, exhibit those turns with the ball that are so reminiscent of Iniesta and unleash his talent.
There are two league games left until the World Cup and it will be then when Pablo Torre reinforces Barça Atlètic. The unknown is what will happen next. His situation has been managed in a peculiar way and the important thing is to have minutes. You can’t stop having them anymore.
Married and the dream fulfilled
Marc Casadó’s 23 minutes in the Czech Republic were exciting and that coincided with Viktoria’s moments of maximum pressure. But the one from Sant Pere de Vilamajor showed a cool head and a quick reading of the game. Accurate, he only missed three passes of the 29 he distributed. He was intense in defense as requested by Xavi, who increasingly appreciates that the youth squad is more mature in terms of football despite being only 19 years old.
Casadó is here to have more opportunities and see if Barça has finally found a natural replacement for Busquets at home.
Álvaro and the right decision
It was not his official debut because Xavi had already had Caspe last season in Mallorca. This summer, the midfielder doubted his continuity, he did not have to go on the American tour and there were important offers. But he decided to stay to be one of the subsidiary captains and be there when he was needed. Like this Tuesday. The coach from Egar knows it. A ‘wild card’ who fulfills his mission to the letter and combines intensity with good football. A profile that you always have to have.