The performances of Aimar Peñalver, Youth Athletic’s starting goalkeeper, went unnoticed in the matches before the Champions Cup final. The 18-year-old from Navarra is one of the great figures of his team both in Lezama against UD Las Palmas and in Las Rozas against Betis. The red and white goal, despite the opportunities created by the Canarians and Sevillians, remained zero.
The Barcelona plot was defended by a goalkeeper from Bilbao with a past in Lezama. Ander Astralaga, 18 years old and born in Berango, belongs to the Athletic academy after arriving at the Bilbao club from Karabigane. After serving as a red and white to both youth and kids, the Biscayan goalkeeper went to La Masia.
Astralaga, surprisingly, was Peñalver’s teammate in his final season at Athletic. Both had to take turns under sticks throughout the campaign. The competition between the two, according to Atletico coaches at the time, was intense because of their quality. Astra, as Barça’s youth goalkeeper likes to be called, has already made his debut this season at Barça’s subsidiary and even participated in some training with Barça’s first team.
The final gift of youth today, therefore, is another interesting duel under the sticks. Two goalkeepers with good projections a few years ago teamed up on the Athletic youth team and now they are rivals.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
