Barça keeper Marc-André ter Stegen injured: Long break for the German

Bitter moment for Marc-André ter Stegen. The 32-year-old was only recently chosen as the new number one in the German goal following Manuel Neuer's retirement. Now the goalie will be out for months after an injury in the league match with Barcelona in Villarreal (5:1).

Ter Stegen suffered a “complete tear of the patellar tendon” in his right knee, the Catalans announced. He is due to undergo surgery on Monday, they say.

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 called 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.

“I hope it's nothing and that he recovers as quickly as possible,” Villarreal's Sergi Cardona said on Spanish TV during halftime. Barcelona coach Hansi 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.”