After taking down derby rivals Espanyol 3-1 at the weekend, Barcelona have now coasted past their three most emotionally charged games in a row, dominating Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League before making mincemeat of Real Madrid 4-0 in another lopsided “El Clasico”.
Barcelona have been the best team in European football to start the 2024/25 campaign under new manager Hansi Flick, and that status is unequivocal after they absolutely demolished the main two contenders to rival their crown – including their chief rivals and defending champions of Spain and Europe.
There have been so many breakout performances for Barcelona, and what’s most remarkable is how they have overcome a bevy of serious injuries, including to starting players.
Captain and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen ruptured his patellar tendon, and yet Barcelona haven’t missed a beat without one of the most acclaimed shot-stoppers in the world.
According to a report from Tomas Andreu of Diario Sport, Rudi Voller and the DFB are optimistic that Ter Stegen will be able to return from this devastating injury earlier than expected, even being available for Barcelona at the tail end of the 2024/25 season.
But what’s wild about this is Barcelona may simply shrug their shoulders at this from a sporting perspective, even as they’d obviously be elated to see Ter Stegen healthy.
That’s not because of Wojciech Szczesny, the world-class goalkeeper they coaxed out of retirement, but rather because of the young and unproven Inaki Pena stepping up and running with it.
Pena has been solid in goal, making fewer mistakes even than Ter Stegne. Many Barcelona fans feel safer with Pena in goal, and he has the long-term upside to be the next starter of the future in Barcelona.
So while it’s wonderful to hear optimism regarding Ter Stegen’s future and injury recovery, the reality is that the German international has, in all likelihood, already lost the starting gig in Barcelona.
