In his comeback for FC Barcelona, Marc-André Ter Stegen initially noticed negatively. Trainer Hansi Flick makes a decision for the upcoming games.
After his comeback for FC Barcelona, Marc-André ter Stegen is exposed to mixed reactions. In any case, the German keeper has to be satisfied with a bank place in the upcoming games, as coach Hansi Flick illustrated after the 2-1 against Valladolid.
“Szczesny will be in goal against Inter and Real Madrid on Tuesday,” said Flick at the subsequent press conference. Ter Stegen’s representative Wojciech Szczesny will thus be between the posts both in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League against Inter Milan and in the upcoming Clasico.
Marc-André Ter Stegen is also criticized after his comeback
Ter Stegen had caught a very bad start on Saturday evening after more than seven months of injury break: Defender Ronald Araújo forgotten a cross from Ivan Sanchez, the ball sailed over the goalkeeper into the long corner (5th).
Criticism of Ter Stegen: “Far from his best shape”
In the Spanish press, Ter Stegen was awarded a complicity on the goal. The AS judged: “The comeback of the German caused a mistake in the 0: 1 doubts. Nobody understood his movement in 0: 1, which opened the scoring for Valladolid.”
The return of Ter Stegen was therefore “hasty”. The 33-year-old showed that “he still lacks competition rhythm and that he is far from his best form”.
The newspaper Sport stated: “The German goalkeeper started playing very badly.” Nevertheless, Ter Stegen saved Barca at the end when he prevented the equalization with a strong parade.
“On the right track”: Flick is happy for Ter Stegen
In total, Flick is also satisfied with the returnee: “Especially in the second half, he showed how good he is, how he can perform. That was good to see. I am pleased for Marc that he is back and showed that he is on the right track.”
Szczesny had been able to distinguish itself several times in the absence of Ter Stegen: The Pole played 27 games for the Catalans, of which only one game – the quarter -final second leg in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund (1: 3) – was lost.
There had already been criticism of Ter Stegen in the run-up to the comeback game. The accusation: In numerous interviews, he only spoke about the time of his return and thus negatively influenced teammates Szczesny.