From teammates in Athletic, to rivals under the sticks in the final

The performances of Aimar Peñalver, Youth Athletic’s starting goalkeeper, have not gone unnoticed during the matches prior to the Champions Cup final. The 18-year-old from Navarra was 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 chances created by Canarians and Sevillians, remained to zero.

The framework of Barcelona is defended by a goalkeeper from Bilbao with a past in Lezama. Ander Astralaga, 18 years old and born in Berango, belonged to the Athletic academy after arriving at the Bilbao club from Karabigane. After serving as a red-and-white in both juveniles and children, the Biscayan goalkeeper ended up at La Masia.

Astralaga, curiously, was Peñalver’s teammate during his last season at Athletic. Both had to alternate under sticks throughout the entire campaign. The competition between the two, according to the Atletico coaches at the time, was very intense given their quality. Astra, as Barça’s youth goalkeeper likes to be called, has already made his debut this season with the Barça subsidiary and has even participated in some training with the Barça first team.

Today’s youth final presents, therefore, another interesting duel under the sticks. Two goalkeepers with a great projection that a few years ago coincided in the Athletic youth team and now they are rivals.

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