Marc-Andre Ter Stegen went down in training ahead of Barcelona’s game in LaLiga against Las Palmas (Saturday 30 March 2024. KO 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT.). The German goalkeeper was treated by medical staff at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training facility, sparking fears that the club could be without their first-choice goalkeeper once again this season.
Earlier in the campaign, the stopper returned early from an international break with a back injury. The official diagnosis of the issue was cloudy, with the club remaining quiet on just what had happened to the goalkeeper, as well as how long he would be out for. Initially ruled out for “a few weeks,” he was ultimately forced to undergo surgery and suffered an extended spell on the sidelines.
In the end, substitute goalkeeper Iñaki Peña stepped into Ter Stegen’s boots and performed well in the role, pulling of crucial saves across the 10 games he played for the Catalan club as they looked to get their rocky season back on track.
Xavi calms Ter Stegen injury fears: “He’s OK”
The German looked to be receiving treatment on his knee as he sat on the grass with the medical staff, who did not hesitate in rushing over to the player.
He was treated and was able to stand up before completing the session. Ter Stegen played against France and The Netherlands in Germany’s two games over the recent international break.
Ahead of the game, Barcelona boss Xavi commented in the pre-game press conference that it was “just a scare” and Ter Stegen “is OK… there is no injury”.
Andreas Christensen unlikely to feature against Las Palmas
One player who did not train with the team was Danish defender, Andreas Christensen. The former Chelsea player missed Barcelona’s resounding 0-3 win over Atlético Madrid before the break due to achilles pain and did not travel with his national team during the break.
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Christensen has been filling in at centre midfield for recent Barcelona games as Xavi continues to battle with a long injury list that includes the likes of Gavi, Pedri, Ferran, De Jong, Balde and Cancelo.
Barcelona have a number of tough fixtures coming up: after Las Palmas visit Cataluña, Xavi’s side will travel to Paris where they will take on PSG in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Cádiz is sandwiched in between the two European legs and after that, they play Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu before taking on Valencia and LaLiga’s surprise package Girona.
