Barcelona’s captain Marc André Ter Stegen was stretchered off the pitch after suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury during the LaLiga match against Villarreal at La Ceramica Stadium on Sunday (Sep. 22).
The goalkeeper was unable to walk after falling awkwardly when saving a ball at the end of the first half. He immediately asked for medical attention, and it appeared that he felt something off in his knee. He left the pitch in tears, and covered his face.
Ter Stegen‘s injury is a major blow for Hansi Flick, adding to the growing list of setbacks for his squad. Dani Olmo, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez are all out due to different injuries.
Ter Stegen was replaced by Iñaki Peña, who immediately had to showcase his best skills to avoid Villarreal’s equalizer in La Ceramica. Barcelona was winning 2-0, with a Robert Lewandowski’s brace, but the local team was able to close the advantage thanks to Ayoze Perez’s goal at 38’ minute. The Catalans ended up winning the match 2-5, with more goals by Pablo Torres and Rapinha.
This season’s Ter Stegen had conceded six goals in total, four in LaLiga and two in Barcelona’s loss against Monaco in their Champions League match. He only had a clean sheet so far.
What is known so far about Ter Stegen’s injury?
So far, there’s no official information about the injury. However, Ter Stegen is currently at the hospital, where they are running some tests. The player was seen leaving the stadium in an ambulance. Flick told the press after the match that he hasn’t been confirmed anything about the injury yet, but that it was “serious.”
How long will Ter Stegen be out?
According to Sport, Ter Stegen has suffered an injury in his right knee patellar tendon, meaning that he would be about eight months out, missing the whole season.
Who will replace Ter Stegen?
Iñaki Peña, who grew up in La Masia and played with Galatasaray on loan, has had 22 appearances with the first team. If Ter Stegen is out for more than four months, Barcelona could bring in a new goalkeeper, since LaLiga allows to register a new player in cases like this.