Four different stories. Each one with its own plot and independent plot. Four happy endings, each with its nuances. Four stories with one element in common, the goal. In a most atypical weekend, four transatlantic teams such as Barça, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool added another victory in their respective leagues, having to resort to a substitute goalkeeper. There were four early Christmas stories.
The magnitude of the match or, what would be the same, the greatness of the rival, invites us to begin with the story of Iñaki Peña (24). The Blaugrana was the last to join this small goalkeeping epic, masterfully locking the ball in Montjuïc against a raging Atlético de Madrid that threatened to dynamite the club's surroundings.
The back problems that have kept Ter Stegen off the pitch since the last national team break have opened the doors of ownership to the youth squad, who has known how to be patient until he has his opportunity and is taking advantage of it in a big way. Against Rayo Vallecano he played his first game of the season, he repeated against Porto in the Champions League and against Atlético he amazed everyone with two worthy saves, ensuring Barça's victory. His companions ended up surrounding him and hugging him. He had earned it. “He has saved us. He plays the way he trains, Iñaki is an example,” Xavi praised him. “He made an extraordinary save,” agreed Simeone. Iñaki Peña's flight in the absence of Memphis had been vintage.
Iñaki Peña's place could have been perfectly filled by Arnau Tenas (22), another La Masia product, but his strange departure last summer from Barcelona after ending his contract and not renewing it found his bones in Paris, where Luis Enrique blessed his arrival. Although the PSG goal is owned by Donnarumma, the Asturian coach wanted to have a reinforcement that would give him confidence and on Sunday his bet was a winner.
On their visit to Le Havre at the Stade Océane, things got complicated for the Parisian team ten minutes into the game. An incomprehensible kick from Donnarumma to Casimir ended in an indisputable expulsion and led to Tenas' debut with the PSG shirt. The image at the end of the game, with her teammates forming a circle around her congratulating her, spoke for itself. With two great actions, the Vic goalkeeper had secured a new victory for the Ligue 1 leader. “It was wonderful,” the protagonist congratulated himself.
If these first two Christmas stories follow the same paths, those of Lunin (24) and Kelleher (25) bring out different sensations in the reader.
The signing of Kepa after Courtois' serious injury was a splash of cold water for the Ukrainian, who dreamed of taking over as a starter in the white goal. But it was the Basque's injury that finally gave him some continuity. Against Granada, Lunin did not have to make a single stop and achieved his third clean sheet in the five games he has been a starter. A nice award for his work.
The last revolutionary is Kelleher, although in his case it is he who must thank the reaction capacity of his teammates to explain Liverpool's victory against Fulham after conceding three goals and a fourth that was disallowed. The Irishman, a substitute in his team, was simply horrible. At Anfield, Alisson's injury makes everyone tremble given what has been seen.
