"IInaki Pena has done great work, he has proven to be a goalkeeper we can rely on," Xavi told a press conference on Saturday.
"He [Pena] is very happy for Marc [Ter Stegen]. Because Marc is fundamental to us," the boss added.
Pena has been Barca's makeshift first choice since Ter Stegen picked up a back injury that has kept him out for the better part of the last three months.
It is generally believed that the young Spanish goalie did not live up to the high standards required at Barca considering he conceded 32 goals in 17 games and kept just three clean sheets.
But Xavi seems to think differently about Pena or wants us to believe that. It may be because of Barca's poor defending during Ter Stegen's absence or simply because the boss doesn't want to damage the confidence of his player.
Whatever the case, Barca can rest easy with their first-choice goalie back in full fitness. Ter Stegen is expected to start in goal in the game against Granada on Sunday.
