Barcelona loanee compares difference in his role under Flick and current manager – ‘At Barça…’ | OneFootball

Sunday, November 2, will mark a particularly emotional day for Inaki Pena, as he faces his parent club FC Barcelona while wearing the colours of Elche. 

The young goalkeeper, who came through Barça’s academy, is set to play against the team that shaped his footballing career, a moment that carries both pride and nostalgia.

Following Barcelona’s decision to sign Joan Garcia in the summer, competition in the goalkeeping department intensified. 

With limited opportunities ahead, Pena opted for a season-long loan move to Elche in search of regular minutes, a decision that has so far paid off for his development. 

Now, as he prepares to line up against the Blaugrana, the 26-year-old has shared his thoughts on both his former club and his current situation.

Speaking to the media ahead of the clash, Pena reflected on Barcelona’s recent 1-2 defeat to Real Madrid, describing it as “a double-edged sword.” 

He believes the loss could serve as motivation for the Catalans, who have had “a clean week” to prepare for Sunday’s encounter. 

Despite their injury troubles, Pena expects Barça to respond strongly.

Difference between Sarabia and Flick

He also discussed the stylistic contrasts between Eder Sarabia and Hansi Flick, highlighting how both coaches approach the game differently. 

Inaki Pena will face Barcelona on Sunday. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)

“Every coach has his own philosophy,” Pena explained. “Sarabia is more rigorous when it comes to playing out from the back. 

“He doesn’t mind if mistakes happen, because in the long run, that style gives you more rewards. 

“At Barça, I was also part of the build-up, but the ball didn’t come back as much as it does now. Here, I’m often positioned 30 or 40 metres from goal.”

On his personal progress, Pena expressed satisfaction with his current form and Elche’s performances. “I’m happy both personally and professionally,” he said. 

“The team is performing above expectations, in terms of both results and playing style.”

Facing Barcelona

Looking ahead to Sunday, the shot-stopper insisted that he is treating the match “like any other,” though he acknowledged Barcelona’s attacking quality will make it a demanding test. 

“We have to play toe-to-toe, as we did against Atletico on matchday two. That’s how we perform best,” he remarked.

Despite starting several consecutive matches, Pena modestly stated that he doesn’t consider himself the automatic first choice. 

However, he emphasised how valuable consistent playing time has been for his confidence and rhythm, something he rarely enjoyed at Barcelona.

Source: Mundo Deportivo