Diego Alves: "A penalty is a mental war with the front"

It is the first Brazilian goalkeeper of the Spanish League history, but above all, is the largest specialist championship penalties. His numbers scare: you have thrown 14 penalties, eight unemployed, one pole, one out and four goals, one of them, precisely with the signing of David Villa, who will face tomorrow in the Mediterranean Games. "But I'd rather against Barca no penalties," said Diego Alves, Almeria goalkeeper, "is too stressful and leaves the team very tense." And if any, attempt to increase their great statistics. "I did well to stop penalties from small", even before arriving from Atletico Mineiro Botafogo Ribeirao Preto, his first club. Matter of intuition, he says. "However much you study the pitcher, every penalty is different. It's like a psychological war with the striker and for me, the key is to have peace. If you're quiet, forget it. You have to be very concentrated, because everything happens very fast, a matter of tenths of a second. " So Alves specially trained reflexes and speed, that speed has made him one of the most agile goalkeepers First.

In the game against Barca, Villa or Messi will be planted in front of him if the referee decreed the penalty spot. "They have different styles at the time of launch. Villa Messi pulls harder and expect more, even to see how the goalie reacts. But again, it is best that no penalty in the game! ". The recipe to win at Barca and has permeated the locker room of Almeria. "Lillo Guardiola knows very well and I think you can find the key. But mostly, it is very close spaces, not play them one on one and take advantage of cons. Last year, for example, could do enough damage to Barcelona, a team he still sees as "the best in the world, because every game they play is a spectacle."