Barcelona are eager to defend the Spanish La Liga title they won last year and return to the summit of European club football competition in 2023/2024, but the latest injury to Marc-André ter Stegen, their no. 1 goalkeeper and vice captain of the club will serve as a huge setback to the Catalan Giants in their grandiose endeavours. Earlier this week, Xavi’s Barca confirmed that Marc-André ter Stegen’s back injury is serious and they have decided that the 31-year-old German will undergo surgery to fix the issue, a move that will keep him sidelined for a couple of months, meaning he is done for the calendar year of 2023.
How Did Marc-André ter Stegen Pick Up the Back Problem?
The 31-year-old Marc-André ter Stegen injured his back during a training session with the four-time FIFA World Cup champions Germany in the final international break in 2023. The German shot stopper then went on to miss his nation’s next two friendly matches against Türkiye and Austria, where Die Mannschaft lost 3-2 and 2-0 respectively. Due to his back problems, Marc-André ter Stegen was replaced by Iñaki Peña in Barcelona’s following three games in all competitions, and to Barca’s fortune, they managed to stay unbeaten during the stretch, winning twice and drawing once, including last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid following João Félix’s winning goal against his parent club.
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Barca’s Statement on Marc-André ter Stegen
In an official statement titled “Marc-André ter Stegen to Undergo a Surgical Procedure”, the defending Spanish champions Barca confirmed that the German shot stopper will be out of action due to a surgery to fix his back problems.
The announcement reads: “First team player Marc-André ter Stegen will undergo a surgical procedure this week to address the lower back issues he is experiencing. Following the procedure, a new statement will be given. Second captain of the side and a key member of the dressing room, the German goalkeeper has played 17 games so far this season, 13 in the league, four in the Champions League, keeping eight clean sheets and conceding 15 goals. This season he has only missed the league games against Rayo and Atlético and the game at home to Porto in the Champions League.”
The 31-year-old Marc-André ter Stegen also took to the internet to express his frustration over the back injury, but mentioned that it is the best possible procedure for him to return to his top condition for club and country next year. “After intensive conversations with the medical team of the club and various supporting experts, we decided to undergo a surgical procedure. The break obviously annoys me. It is the right and safe decision in order to come back in the best conditions for my club and national team.”
MEDICAL STATEMENT | First team player Marc ter Stegen will undergo a surgical procedure this week to address the lower back issues he is experiencing. Following the procedure, a new statement will be given. pic.twitter.com/MiN9mfZERS
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 5, 2023
Who Will Replace Marc-André ter Stegen as Barca’s No. 1 for the Time Being?
Iñaki Peña, the 24-year-old graduate from the famous La Masia, Barcelona‘s academy system, is likely to stay in between the sticks for the Catalan Giants after his impressive showings in the three matches that he had replaced Marc-André ter Stegen at goal for. The Spanish international was loaned out to Turkish Süper Lig outfit Galatasaray S.K. in the 2021/2022 Season and accumulated five appearances in all competitions after returning to Xavi’s side last year. He is tipped to start again for Barcelona when they host second-placed Girona at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys for the next La Liga clash, and his performance will determine if Xavi needs to perform his shopping duties during the winter transfer market.
Apart from Marc-André ter Stegen, another goalkeeper in the English Premier League side Newcastle United, Nick Pope is also injured due to a dislocated shoulder. The issue will keep him sidelined until April 2024, and the Magpies are ready to earn former Manchester United no. 1 David de Gea’s signature to replace the England shot stopper to guard the goal at Newcastle. Read here for more information regarding the potential transfer.
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