Marc-Andre ter Stegen: ‘A huge injury’ - Hansi Flick ‘sad’ as Barcelona reveal Germany keeper ruptured knee ligament
Updated 25/09/2024 at 11:06 GMT+1
Barcelona have confirmed goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has suffered a serious knee injury and will have surgery on Monday afternoon. The Germany international fell awkwardly while trying to catch a high ball in Sunday’s 5-1 La Liga win at Villarreal. After the game, head coach Hansi Flick said he felt “sad” about what he described as a “huge injury”. Inaki Pena is likely to deputise.
Flick worried Ter Stegen injury will be 'huge'
Video credit: SNTV
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is facing a long spell on the sidelines after Barcelona confirmed their goalkeeper has suffered a serious knee injury, having ruptured his right patella tendon.
The 32-year-old, who recently took over from Manuel Neuer as Germany’s first choice in goal, fell awkwardly when attempting to claim a high ball in a 5-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga.
Ter Stegen was taken to hospital after being taken off on a stretcher, and it has now been announced that he will have an operation on Monday afternoon.
The club captain's knee appeared to give way when he leapt up to try and take a cross late in the first half of their victory at Estadio de la Ceramica, and he has received support from fellow players - including his rival at Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois.
In a statement, Barcelona said: "Tests carried out on the first team player, Marc[-Andre] ter Stegen confirm that he has a complete rupture in the patella tendon in his right knee. On Monday afternoon he will undergo a surgical process and once complete a new update will be released."
Ter Stegen had been playing his 289th game for Barcelona, putting him third in the club's list of all-time appearances by a goalkeeper and moving ahead of Antoni Ramallets.
“We are all sad, because I think the injury will be huge,” said Barca head coach Hansi Flick after the game.
“I’m really sad about this. At this point, we are not happy but it’s football, we have to accept this. At half-time, I said to the team, ‘come on, we play for Marc, give an extra 10 percent if possible’ and I think we had a great second half.
“It’s not easy, it was an accident, [but] it’s very tough”.
Courtois posted a picture on X of him embracing ter Stegen in a previous Clasico, saying: “I’m sorry about the injury, it really hurt to see you leave the field like that. I hope you can recover soon and we can see you in goal again”.
Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both scored twice in Barca’s victory, with Pablo Torre getting the other, with Flick’s side four points clear at the top of the table.
Inaki Pena now looks set for a long period in goal, having played 17 games in all competitions last season when Ter Stegen was out with a back injury.
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