Veteran goalkeeper returns to action as Barcelona brace for decisive El Clasico clash and final push for La Liga title
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that Marc-Andre ter Stegen will return to the starting lineup for Saturday’s La Liga encounter against Real Valladolid, marking the end of a seven-month injury absence for the club’s long-serving goalkeeper.
The 32-year-old German has not featured for the Catalan side since September, when he sustained a complete rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee during a match against Villarreal. The injury required surgery which has sidelined him for the majority of the season.
Ter Stegen resumed partial training in late March, with Barcelona saying at the time that he would not rush his return to first-team action. Flick also said in a press conference that Ter Stegen’s recovery would be managed “step-by-step”, and refused to specify a timeline for his return.
In the German’s absence, Barcelona turned to academy graduate Inaki Pena. However, his stint as first-choice goalie was short-lived after disciplinary issues saw him dropped from contention. Wojciech Szczesny, the 35-year-old Polish veteran who Barcelona invited out of retirement to sign a short-term deal in January, was subsequently promoted to the No 1 spot.
In his press conference on Friday ahead of the fixture against Valladolid, Flick confirmed that Ter Stegen would start in goal.
“Marc is on the right track, training fantastically,” he said. “He’s at a good level and I don’t plan to change anything.
“Marc will play against Valladolid and I don’t know if I’ll make any more changes.”
Barcelona travel to Valladolid four points clear of Real Madrid at the summit of the La Liga table with just five matches remaining. The tie will be followed by a potentially title-defining Clasico, and Flick is eager to maintain momentum.
“Everyone who is able to play will travel with us to Valladolid. We need all the positive energy we can get. I’ve seen that in training.”
