Despite the comeback, Marc-André Ter Stegen remains only a second choice with Hansi Flick. The location also remains open in the DFB goal.
It was only last Saturday that Marc-André Ter Stegen at Barcas 2-1 win against Valladolid after 223 days of injury break celebrated his comeback-and was promptly moved back onto the bench.
In the most important games of the season, the semi-final second leg of the Champions League against Inter Milan on Tuesday and the Clásico in the league on Sunday, Wojciech Szczesny is preferred again and returns between the posts.
Marc-André Ter Stegen has to go back to the bench after his comeback
Barca coach Hansi Flick did not provide a real reason, he rated the German comeback positively: “Especially in the second half, he showed how good he is. I am pleased for Marc that he is back and showed that he is on the right track.”
Unusual space for ter Stegen
The decision is all the more surprising, the decision is made in a tricky situation. On the one hand, his captain, who has been injured for a long time, has actually been undisputed regular keeper in recent years.
On the other hand, his replacement, which has been able to prove itself with good performance in the past few months. First of all, the jackets have to adjust and take a seat on the bench.
A feeling that Ter Stegen had never experienced at Barca for a long time. Most recently, the 33-year-old was the second election in July 2020, only three times since the beginning of the 2016/2017 season. During the same period he was 283 times in the starting eleven of the blue grana.
Who will become Germany’s number one?
One who should also take a closer look at the development of Ter Stegens is national coach Julian Nagelsmann. With regard to the Nation’s League semi-final against Portugal on June 4, the 37-year-old remains a month to commit himself to one number one.
In March, Nagelsmann said that Ter Stegen would be number one “if he is 100 percent efficient”. In view of the decision of Flick to start Szczesny, the question arises as to what level is on Stegen after his injury.
The Spanish newspaper AS wrote after his return to the goal and an unfortunate appearance at the goal, “that he still lacks competition rhythm and that he is far from his best form”.
Should Nagelsmann see it that way, “the fight for number one opens for all goalkeepers”. Ter Stegen still has some time so as not to let the T question arise. But for that, he would only have to go back to the post at Barca.