Barcelona will welcome back their first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen on Saturday, as confirmed by coach Hansi Flick.
The veteran shot-stopper is set to start against struggling Real Valladolid, marking his first appearance in over seven months.
Ter Stegen, 33, has been sidelined since rupturing his right knee’s patella tendon during a match against Villarreal early in the season. After undergoing surgery and a long recovery, the German international is finally ready to reclaim his spot between the posts.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Flick said Ter Stegen has shown strong form in training and is physically prepared for the challenge. Though he was on the bench during Barcelona’s recent Copa del Rey final win over Real Madrid, he did not feature in the game.
His return means Wojciech Szczesny, who came out of retirement to support the squad during Ter Stegen’s absence, will step aside for the weekend fixture. However, Flick hinted that Szczesny is likely to be back in goal for Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Inter Milan next Tuesday, following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg.
While Ter Stegen’s return brings stability to the back line, questions remain over striker Robert Lewandowski. The club’s top scorer is still nursing a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Inter match, and Flick offered no clear update on his availability.
Barcelona are currently leading La Liga, sitting four points above second-place Real Madrid with five games left. Saturday’s game offers a prime opportunity to stretch that lead, as Valladolid — anchored at the bottom of the table — face near-certain relegation.
With domestic dominance and European ambitions still alive, Barcelona are fighting on multiple fronts. Ter Stegen’s comeback arrives at a crucial moment in that pursuit.