Marcos Peña makes UD Almería first-team debut in top flight
The UD Almería 'B' midfielder started in the away match against UD Las Palmas, bringing great vibes, contributing to the team's first victory and creating an everlasting memory. 'I'm speechless, honestly,' he says
The day Marcos Peña had been waiting for had finally arrived. The UD Almería 'B' player who, after going to many call-ups, finally made his UD Almería first-team debut with new head coach Pepe Mel in the driving seat.
The 19-year-old started, put in a great performance and helped the Rojiblancos get the first victory of the season. 'I don't look at the ID card, I look at how he does the things that I ask him to do, that he does them well... he has a bright future ahead if he continues like this, he has debuted in the Primera Division and with a victory,' head coach Pepe Mel said at the post-game press conference in Las Palmas.
The UD Almería player was on cloud nine at the end of the game: 'I'm speechless, honestly, it's what I've been fighting for since I started to play this sport. I'm super grateful to all the people who helped me. I've felt quite comfortable and great vibes. Debut and first victory of the season…sheer happiness…'
What about his UD Almería shirt? Marcos made it clear: 'I'll frame it and put it in my room.'
Marcos Peña is a player born in Almería, only 19 years old, and with a more than promising future ahead of him. The UD Almería youth player began to win the hearts of all Indálicos fans in the 2019 season, when he was then UD Almería Under-19s 'A' captain. That season was one of the revelations of the youth side, exceeding 3,000 minutes clocked up on the green, scoring twice and reaching the Spanish Cup U19 final. That is where this debut in the Primera Division began to take shape.
If you are wondering what type of player the youth squad is or what his qualities are, Alberto Lasarte; his current coach at UD Almería 'B' and in the past, at UDA Under-19s 'A', defines him like this: 'He's a leader, strong and a very hardworking player. He's a very tactically savvy player in the midfield. He's good with the ball and shows fluidity in his game. He's very dynamic, plays long passes well and the best thing he has, of course, is defensive skills since he's really difficult to tackle and with a big aerial threat. He's been working hard throughout the year, he's strong and has character, personality so he's definitely a well-rounded player.'
The young Rojiblanco has had several opportunities to make his debut over the season, Marcos was even on the verge of doing so with Alberto Lasarte at the San Mamés Stadium, but the youngster did so in Las Palmas in the end, with Pepe Mel in the driving seat and contributing to UD Almería's first victory of the season, no less.