Barcelona's head coach, Xavi, confirmed that goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be absent from the La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano due to back pain.
In a press conference on Friday, Xavi stated, "Tomorrow Marc can't make it, and we have full confidence in Inaki Pena, who is 100 percent ready."
Pena, a 24-year-old product of Barcelona's youth academy, has made five previous appearances for the first team. Barcelona faces Rayo Vallecano, having suffered defeats in their last two visits to Vallecas. The team currently trails La Liga leader Girona by four points.
While midfielder Frenkie de Jong is available after recovering from injury, Barcelona will be without the services of Gavi for the remainder of the season. Gavi sustained a cruciate ligament injury while representing Spain last week.
Addressing concerns about the injury, Xavi clarified that he holds no blame for national team coach Luis de la Fuente. He attributed the injury to a congested calendar and the strain of numerous matches. Xavi emphasised the significance of Gavi, describing him as an irreplaceable player known for his passion, desire, and courage on the field.
Xavi, who has previously proposed changes to the football calendar, reiterated his stance, suggesting a system where players spend eight or nine months with their clubs before engaging in international duties. He emphasised the challenges posed by frequent travel throughout the season and expressed the need for a more balanced schedule.
