Barcelona., Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen faces a lengthy absence after his club said Monday that he suffered a “complete tear” of the patellar tendon in his right knee that will require surgery.
Ter Stegen was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after picking up an injury in Sunday’s 5-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga.
The German goalkeeper’s knee buckled when he made a poor stance when coming out to cut out a cross into the area shortly before half-time.
The Catalans announced that Ter Stegen will undergo surgery on Monday after tests confirmed that he “has a complete tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee.”
“A new medical report will be provided at the end of the operation,” he added, referring to one of his captains.
Ter Stegen has been injured just after being confirmed as the starting goalkeeper for the German national team after several years as Manuel Neuer’s backup.
Neuer retired from international football after Euro 2024 and coach Julian Nagelsmann announced that Ter Stegen — who has made 42 appearances for Germany but none at a major tournament — will start. However, he only made two saves in the Nations League before the injury.
“The news of Marc’s injury has been a big shock for us,” Nagelsmann said on Monday. “We will miss him very much on and off the field with the national team. We wish Marc all the best for the operation and a speedy recovery. We will always be by his side on his return.”
Germany’s most recent squad included Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart) and Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim) as reserve goalkeepers. Neither has played a match for the national team.
Ter Stegen, 32, has started all seven of Barca’s games this season. The one against Villarreal was his 289th game for the club, allowing him to overtake Antoni Ramallets in third place in the all-time appearances table for Barça goalkeepers.
His replacement is Iñaki Peña. The club is expected to sign another goalkeeper.
Barça are on a perfect start to the Spanish league season, with a clean slate of six wins. Coach Hansi Flick was already suffering from the absence of several regulars through injury, including Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo.
“We have to accept it,” Flick said of Ter Stegen’s injury. “It’s not easy. It was an accident.”
Barcelona’s next game will be against Getafe in La Liga on Wednesday.
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– 2024-09-23 18:21:52
