This is now a step closer for ter Stegen. He is not perfectly happy, as he did not want his chance to come from an injury, but wanted it to come from having superior ability in goal. "I try to put so much pressure on Claudio and the manager that there is no way I won’t be picked."
But of course, ter Stegen knows that he needs to make the most of his chance. The pressure he has put on has previously come only in training, and the two competitions he represented Barcelona in, but now he can also apply it in the league. "I know that I have displayed my hard work up until now, and we have only lost one game in which I played." This is not just a bold claim based on arrogance. "If this record continues, I will be selected in goal more often." A new era can begin in Barcelona’s goal, with ter Stegen at the forefront.
On Saturday Marc-André ter Stegen could feature in goal for Barcelona in an away game to Atletico Madrid. Before the U21 European Championship in 2012, ter Stegen was already part of the youth team, but during the competition he was the first choice goalkeeper for the U21s. In the qualification games against Poland and Scotland, the 23-year-old was in the senior national team, but has had to accept a role behind first choice Manuel Neuer. For club, however, he wants more. Above all, he wants to play, and he has the chance to get a bit closer to his goal this weekend.
From Germany to Spain
Staying true to his roots and speaking the truth. Are bottom placed Bundesliga side the only team on the planet that can compete with Barcelona? Highly unlikely. But that is exactly what ter Stegen said. "There is only one team in the world that stand a chance against Barcelona: Borussia Mönchengladbach."
Ter Stegen was not around for the glory days of the 70s at Bökelberg. His statement, however, was aimed at the present Gladbach with regard to the Champions League group that they find themselves in. In an interview, Marc-André described how the last 18 months have been for him. Barcelona had been interested in him for quite a while, and when Barca come calling you don't say no.
For a long time ter Stegen weighed up whether or not he should go. He secluded himself at a convention for a couple of weeks, and then came to a realisation. In the end, Barcelona won the race for his signature, and after 18 years at Borussia Mönchengladbach, ter Stegen swapped country, league and club for a five year contract at the Catalan team in the 2014/2015 season.
Ter Stegen to take over from injured Bravo
More than a season has passed since the move. On Saturday (20:30 CEST), while his former teammates will try to turn around their disastrous start to the season against HSV and leave the foot of the table, ter Stegen will line up alongside Lionel Messi as they aim to go top of La Liga. The game between Barca and Atletico is not called the "el clasico", but it is always a classic fixture. It’s a huge game for him as he is yet to make a league appearance for Barcelona, despite having made his Champions League debut 360 days ago.
For the first time, this weekend’s line-up against Atletico will give the substitute goalkeeper a chance to prove himself ahead of the usual first choice. Claudio Bravo played every game in the league last season, and was fully trusted to do so by manager Luis Enrique. The Chilean is now out for a predicted three weeks with a calf injury, and so this is ter Stegen’s big chance.
Things are done differently in Barcelona to the way they are normally done. There is no number 1, number 2, or a first goalkeeper and second goalkeeper. Ter Stegen said "I don’t see myself as a substitute goalie." He said this with good reason. Last season he played every game in the Spanish Cup and also in the Champions League, which he did with great success. With ter Stegen present, Barcelona won the Spanish Cup and were then crowned champions of Europe in Berlin after beating Juventus. Regarding the first-choice goalkeeper discussion, ter Stegen said he has "still never seen a second-choice goalkeeper that plays in every Champions League game."
"I know that I have displayed my hard work up until now"
It is very seldom that a keeper who is consistently played in the Champions League merely watches on from the bench in league matches. Marc-André’s position in the Barcelona squad is certainly not unattractive, but his talent and ambition will never let him settle for being second best. "The situation is not ideal, that is no secret. I would much prefer to play every game."
This is now a step closer for ter Stegen. He is not perfectly happy, as he did not want his chance to come from an injury, but wanted it to come from having superior ability in goal. "I try to put so much pressure on Claudio and the manager that there is no way I won’t be picked."
But of course, ter Stegen knows that he needs to make the most of his chance. The pressure he has put on has previously come only in training, and the two competitions he represented Barcelona in, but now he can also apply it in the league. "I know that I have displayed my hard work up until now, and we have only lost one game in which I played." This is not just a bold claim based on arrogance. "If this record continues, I will be selected in goal more often." A new era can begin in Barcelona’s goal, with ter Stegen at the forefront.
