"Saturday night at the Martínez Valero will feel different for Iñaki Peña, whether anyone else notices or not. Elche host Barcelona at 9 pm, and the goalkeeper will be standing across from the club that still holds his contract and raised him from a teenager into a first-team professional. This game could fade into the background for many, but for him, it's as important as it gets. This is not new territory for Peña. He has already faced Barça three times in his career and has usually left some kind of mark."
"Back in Catalonia that summer, Peña stayed on and waited. Injuries to Marc-André ter Stegen opened the door, and he walked through it for an extended stretch. Some performances strengthened his case, but others reminded everyone how unforgiving the position is at Barça. By the time Joan García arrived last summer, the picture had shifted again, and a loan to Elche made sense for all sides. The first reunion this season came on 2 November at Montjuïc. Barcelona won 3-1, though the match turned early. Two goals inside the opening ten minutes left Elche chasing. Peña had little chance with either, and before half-time he pulled off a sharp save to stop the scoreline from getting away."
Iñaki Peña will face Barcelona at the Martínez Valero while on loan at Elche, confronting the club that still owns his contract and developed him. Peña has previously faced Barcelona multiple times and produced notable performances, including a strong showing during a March 2022 Europa League tie while on loan at Galatasaray. Injuries to Marc-André ter Stegen later gave Peña extended first-team opportunities at Barcelona, but inconsistent displays and managerial changes led to a loan to Elche. Peña made key saves during a November meeting at Montjuïc, and Elche have struggled in 2026, increasing local criticism after recent results.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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