Little Buddha fears Barca

Espanyol's Ivan De La Pena admits he always finds it hard to play against Barcelona.

The Espanyol midfielder also admitted he still finds it hard playing against his former team.

Known as 'Little Buddha', De La Pena became a hero during his time at Camp Nou after coming through the youth ranks at the club.

"I always find it strange to play against Barca because I had so many great years there," he said.

De La Pena was promoted to the Blaugrana's B team in 1993, before making his first team debut in September 1995, but failed to become a regular at the highest level.

After leaving to join Lazio in 1998, the Spanish international failed to settle in Italy and joined Marseille on loan before returning for a brief period to play for Barcelona.

But it was only after his move to Espanyol two years ago that De La Pena has finally settled and has begun to fulfil his promise.

However, he concedes he is now in awe of the strength of Barcelona.

"They are playing the best football in Europe," he said.

"It does not matter which players they choose, the team will be just as good.

"They have added quality to a set of players that ended last season very strongly."

De La Pena was sent off in last season's Catalan derby at Estadi Montjuic along with team-mates Moreno Torricelli and Toni Soldevila, while Barca, who won 3-1, saw Philip Cocu, Rafael Marquez and Ricardo Quaresma dismissed as both sides ended the game with eight men each.