The German national soccer goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is back in the starting line-up for the Spanish champions FC Barcelona after more than half a year – even if only in the cup.
After recovering from a back injury, coach Hansi Flick called the 33-year-old into Barça’s starting lineup for the cup game at CD Guadalajara on Tuesday (9:30 p.m.). Flick had already announced that regular goalkeeper Joan Garcia would get a break. The former national coach left it open whether he would rely on Ter Stegen or the Pole Wojciech Szczesny.
Ter Stegen wants to be number one at the World Cup
The future of the German keeper remains unclear. Before the game, Flick emphasized again that Garcia was his regular goalkeeper. Ter Stegen is actually considered the planned number one for the German national team for the World Cup next summer (June 11th to July 19th). To do this, he has to gain match practice, as national coach Julian Nagelsmann repeatedly emphasized.
“Marc either has to assert himself in Barcelona or find a club where he can play”Nagelsmann explained last. His representative in the DFB team, Oliver Baumann, has been convincing in recent months. A possible comeback by Manuel Neuer has been debated again and again, at least in the media.
Barca apparently wants to get rid of the goalkeeper
According to media reports, the financially troubled Spanish champions want to get rid of Ter Stegen in order to save his million-dollar salary. Whether the ex-Mönchengladbacher leaves the club in the winter is his decision, emphasized Flick.
The 33-year-old last played for Barça on May 18th in the game against Villarreal FC. The goalkeeper then played for Germany in the Final Four of the Nations League before he had to have back surgery in preparation. He had already been out for a long time last season due to a torn patellar tendon.