Little Buddha bites back
Ivan de la Pena has reacted angrily after criticism from boss Miguel Angel Lotina.
Ivan de la Pena has hit back at coach Miguel Angel Lotina after the Espanyol boss questioned his commitment to the club.The Spain international, known as the 'Little Buddha', walked out of a training session on Saturday and was subsequently left out of Espanyol's squad for their game at Malaga last weekend.
Lotina slammed the midfielder's attitude, stating: "He did not train like a professional and so the best thing for him is for him to stay at home and rest and we'll see if he commits himself to the group on Monday."
The former Barca star has been left incensed by his words and far from looking to end the feud has slammed the manager for calling his commitment into question.
"I won't have anybody questioning my commitment to this club," he stated.
"I won't take that from anyone, not from the manager, not from anybody.
"I don't like lies or the thought of anyone questioning my commitment to this club.
"The coach invited me to leave and I left, but nobody threw me out.
"I was told I was to be a substitute and I reacted like a human."
However, despite his somewhat inflammatory comments, de la Pena appears to have been forgiven by Lotina who has included him in the squad to face Teplice in the Uefa Cup on Thursday.
