Undisputed on his own merits in the years of abundance, Marc-André ter Stegen is today subjected to examination in each game after losing credit like so many other long-time teammates in the locker room. Already in his 30s, a non-problematic age for a goalkeeper, the German's performance in recent seasons was declining to the point of being put in the transfer bag this summer.
He has been defended by Xavi Hernández, who considers him key due to his peculiar characteristics, the same ones that convinced the then technical secretary Andoni Zubizarreta, his discoverer, in 2014. Ter Stegen not only stopped, he had control of the ball with his feet that made him the team's first pitcher of the game, ideal characteristics for Barça's instruction manual. At that time Courtois was rejected by the club's technical services for his alleged clumsiness in his footwork. Chelsea, and later Real Madrid, did not think the same.
Ter Stegen has started the season remembering the goalkeeper that one day he was. He is confident in touching the ball but prodigious in the use of gloves, which beyond stylistic considerations is the main task of his profession. He saved his team from scored goals at the Camp Nou against Rayo Vallecano and was even more providential at Anoeta, successfully intervening against the Real forwards in one-on-one situations. Has Ter Stegen returned?
The German, very demanding with himself, has set out to achieve it. First putting himself in the hands of Dr. Ricard Pruna, Xavi's confidant. Operated twice on the patellar tendon of his right knee, the goalkeeper's joint needed to recover all its strength and for this a specific program was designed whose progressive application has borne fruit. Today the knee is strong, there are no sequelae. On the other hand, Ter Stegen made a key decision last summer that defines him a lot. He temporarily resigned to play the four matches of the German team corresponding to the UEFA Nations League. It was a thoughtful and consensual decision, destined precisely to cleanse himself physically and mentally. Barça and himself would be the beneficiaries. This was explained in his day by the German coach Hansi Flick. “Marc and I talked extensively about his personal situation in the national team and at Barcelona. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Due to injuries he has not been able to take vacations in recent years. Bearing in mind the World Cup in Qatar, we agreed that this year a break from training sessions and matches is important”. Ter Stegen, for his part, was brief and transparent in his explanations: "I need to rest."
With the day-to-day complicity of the goalkeeping coach José Ramón de la Fuente, in whom he has full confidence, the recovery of the best Ter Stegen is considered basic for Barça to once again take flight towards lost heights both in the League and in the Champions. In Anoeta, in addition to being one of the most outstanding, he wore the bracelet in the absence of the usual captains. A good partner but always a distant point, Ter Stegen's relationship with old stars who are no longer here today deteriorated. The new Barça, regenerated inside, requires a new Ter Stegen.
