Carles Alena takes a step forward against Cultural Leonesa

Carles Alena takes a step forward against Cultural Leonesa

Aleñá, felicitado por Arturo Vidal
Aleñá, felicitado por Arturo Vidal | sport

The midfielder came on in the first half after the injury to Sergi Samper

Carles Alena does his talking on the pitch. He's always done that and it hasn't gone badly for him. Against Cultural, Carles waited for Valverde to give him the chance to prove he is ready for the first team. But he didn't get it. At least as a starter. However Sergi Samper's injury in the first half allowed him to come onto the pitch. And he knows it.

After coming on, he looked different. He played with a lot of personality. More mature. With enthusiasm to show his value and help the team turn over a tough opponent. He didn't stop offering himself up for the ball and leading Barca's play on infinite occasions. He didn't seem like a player who had not been called into a single squad all season. Alena played like an authentic crack and showed Valverde he deserves a chance ahead of a lot of actual first team squad players.

It's not been an easy year for the Mataro born midfielder. After leading the B team last season the club promised him a promotion to the first team, but an unfortunate injury left him without a pre-season. But he did not give up. As he said himself, he had a chat with Valverde. Alena would have some weeks with Barca B to get his rhythm of play back. The deal was that in a few games he would come back into the first team. And he did, but has not made any squad lists. It was then he decided to take a step back to go forward. He returned to Garcia Pimienta's side and changed the dynamic of Barca B.

After his fine performance in Leon, Alena took a step forward. Not just in play but in personality too. For now he will return to the B team, waiting for a call from Valverde. And it may come over the winter. If he continues in the same way, club and player may consider a loan to make sense. There are various Liga clubs who want him. He wants to succeed at Barca as he's always said. If to do that he must go out on loan, so be it. As always, he'll speak on the pitch.