Ter Stegen is still waiting for a comeback – Szczęsny is in goal!
Marc-André ter Stegen is waiting for his comeback at FC Barcelona, while Wojciech Szczęsny starts in the Champions League semi-finals.
Ter Stegen is still waiting for a comeback – Szczęsny is in goal!
Marc-André ter Stegen, the FC Barcelona goalkeeper, still has to wait for his comeback. Since his injury in September last year, when he tore his patellar tendon, he has been unable to support his team on the pitch. On April 29, 2025, he will only sit on the bench as a reserve in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan. National team coach Hansi Flick has made it clear in his recent statements that Wojciech Szczęsny will be in goal in the game against Inter. Flick confirmed that it is extremely likely that Szczęsny will take over the job as he made his case with a clear "He will play in the Champions League, that's clear."
Ter Stegen, now 32 years old, was out for almost seven months due to his serious injury. Only recently, in the cup final against Real Madrid, he was back in the squad for the first time since his injury, which was a bright spot for many fans. Despite returning to the squad, it remains unclear when he will actually be able to be back on the field. Flick said that it was an uncertain situation and it remained unclear whether Ter Stegen would see a change over the course of the league.
Situation in the team and a look into the future
The Barcelona team is currently showing strength, especially in the Champions League, where they recently reached the semi-finals. For example, they won against Benfica in the last round and secured their place with two convincing games. These performances boost the team's morale, even without their starting goalkeeper. In the upcoming match they face Inter Milan, one of the league's toughest opponents, which promises to be an exciting and hard-fought game.
Coach Hansi Flick, who has a contract until 2026, is not just thinking about the immediate games. He has emphasized his enjoyment of working in Barcelona, but remains cautious about his future plans. The priority is clearly on the upcoming matches, not on his own situation.
Wojciech Szczęsny, who took over the goalkeeper position after Ter Stegen's injury, actually ended his career in the summer of 2024. It came as a surprise to many fans that he was signed by Barcelona after Ter Stegen's injury-related absence. However, his performances so far have proven that he can take on the responsibility at this high level.
The Barcelona fans are now hoping for Ter Stegen's quick recovery and would like to see him back on the field at full strength. The next games in the Champions League could be crucial for the rest of the season and the Italian opponents will certainly do everything in their power to beat Barcelona. Excitement is high and the coming weeks could bring further surprises.
For more information about the latest Champions League statistics visit fbref.com. Further details on Ter Stegen's situation can be found at Daily Mirror and crown.