“He is so cold, I don’t know what he thinks” - Inigo Martinez makes admission about ‘different’ Barcelona teammate
Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has lavished praise on his teammate Inaki Pena ahead of the team's UEFA Champions League match against Brest. The Blaugrana head into Tuesday's tie (November 26), expecting both players to start the match for the club.
Pena, who is the second-choice goalkeeper for the Catalan outfit, has had to fill in of late for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German shot-stopper has been missing for his side since September and is expected to return only after the new year.
In his absence, Pena has stepped up, making 12 appearances across competitions this campaign and maintaining five clean sheets. Speaking about the 25-year-old, Martinez said (via Barca Universal):
“He is so cold. I don’t know what he thinks. He’s a great guy, he’s different, peculiar. That’s where you see the work, and when you have that opportunity, to jump, to perform."
“He has the full confidence of the coach, of the club, he has been here for many years. He is so calm that I don’t see him leaving his comfort zone at any time. He is showing what a great goalkeeper he is.”
To date, Pena and Martinez have shared the pitch on 14 occasions across competitions for Barcelona. They will need to ensure that their communication is on point in order to help keep a clean sheet in their upcoming European outing.
At the moment, Hansi Flick and Co. are placed sixth in the Champions League standings, having won three of their four matches so far.
Barcelona star Inigo Martinez addresses his future, with contract expiring in 2025
Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez was quizzed about his contractual situation ahead of the Blaugrana's UEFA Champions League meeting with Brest on Tuesday.
The centre-back has become an integral part of Hansi Flick's team in Ronald Araujo's absence but sees his agreement expire in the summer of 2025. Claiming that he's not really thinking about it at the moment, Martinez said (via Barca Universal):
“I don’t even think about it. It’s one of the things that can make you lose focus and not concentrate on what you have to do. I focus on my own thing and on the day to day and enjoy the opportunities."
So far this season, the 33-year-old defender has made 17 appearances across competitions for Barcelona, bagging two goals and assists each. Overall, he's played 42 matches for the club since joining in the summer of 2023.