02.09.2010 11:51

Penalty Stoppers

Edgar Fornós

Victor Valdes’ penalty save against Racing was more confirmation if needed that Barca have not one, or even two, but three great penalty stoppers on their books, with José Manuel Pinto and B team keeper Ruben Miño also experts at the job.

Valdes has so far made seven penalty saves, whilst Pinto’s exploits in the 2009 Cup semi final will always be remembered by Barca fans and Miño actually saved two in a game in 2008.

Seven saves by Valdés

Valdés’ save from Tchité on Sunday was the seventh time he’d stopped a penalty for Barca and if he goes on like this he might beat his record of 2006/7 when he saved three in over the whole season – against Deportivo, Mallorca and once again Racing.

Pinto in Mallorca

For Barca fans, Pinto’s heroics on March 4th 2009 will always be remembered. The team travelled to Mallorca for the second leg of the Spanish Cup semi final en route to their historic treble with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, but when Mallorca were given a penalty, that lead began to look slender. No problem for Pinto, who saved the penalty and then Messi went on to score and guarantee a final spot.

Gamper

Pinto also showed his prowess n the Joan Gamper Trophy this season, stopping penalties from Seedorf, Pirlo and Jankulovski in the shoot out to help give Barca their win.

Miño

Miño’s most impressive performance came in 2008 when the reserves played Badalona at the Mini Estadi. Luis Enrique’s charges badly needed a win and Miño made sure that their one goal was enough to give them a win with two penalty stops – a performance that confirmed him as an excellent keeper and a real promise for the future. More recently, Miño also stopped a penalty in the Costa Brava Trophy against Gerona.