FC Barcelona: Marc André Ter Stegen suffers injury

Bitter moment for Marc-André ter Stegen. The 32-year-old was only recently named the new number 1 in the German goal following Manuel Neuer's retirement. Now the goalie may face a longer break after an injury in the league match with Barcelona in Villarreal (5:1).

In the 45th minute of the match, ter Stegen lost his balance in the air after being lightly touched by the two opponents Eric Bailly and Yeremy Pino. The goalkeeper fell awkwardly on the ground with his right leg and immediately remained lying there. Screaming, ter Stegen held his right knee and signaled: I can't go on any more.

Immediately afterwards, ter Stegen's teammates and referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer ordered the medical staff onto the pitch. Paramedics also arrived with a tragedy when they took the Barça goalkeeper away. Amid tears and great applause in the Estadio de la Cerámica, ter Stegen was taken to the catacombs.

It is currently unclear how serious ter Stegen's injury is. Spanish media reports that it could be a tear in the patellar tendon. That would mean that ter Stegen will be out for at least eight months and the season is probably over for the German.

“I hope it's nothing and that he recovers as quickly as possible,” said Villlarreal's Sergi Cardona during halftime on Spanish TV. Barcelona coach Hanis Flick told Dazn after the party: “We have to wait. It will be a serious injury. You could see that immediately when he was lying on the field.” Several players also spoke out. Iñigo Martinez, for example, said: “This victory is for Marc-André.”