Undisputed on his own merits in times of abundance of titles and Barcelona successes, Ter Stegen began the course being one of the footballers marked by the loss of credit and titles that even placed him in the transfer bag. He had finished the season with his worst record since he arrived at the Camp Nou in 2014: 34 goals conceded in 35 league games. And he decided to vindicate himself. “I need to rest,†he pointed out. In a thoughtful and consensual decision, the German temporarily resigned in the summer to play the four matches of the German team corresponding to the UEFA Nations League. It was a decision also destined to recover physically.
Operated twice on the patellar tendon of his right knee, the goalkeeper’s joint needed to recover all its strength and for this a specific program was designed by Dr. Ricard Pruna, Xavi’s trusted man, whose progressive application ended up giving its results. fruits. He also has the day-to-day complicity of the goalkeeper coach José Ramón de la Fuente.
Today the knee is strong, there are no sequelae. And Ter Stegen, who will turn 31 on April 30, has not only recovered the best version of him but has also become a record keeper. Confident in touching the ball, in his footwork and prodigious in the use of gloves, the German was once again key in the match against Atlético de Madrid. With meritorious saves for Griezmann and the always grateful collaboration of the crossbar, he has achieved what has never been seen in Europe: 23 games to nil and just nine goals against in 30 games. “I have blind faith in him, he is a decisive footballer with his footwork and now he is extraordinary in goal,” said Xavi Hernández, who always trusted him.
After Barcelona’s 1-0 draw against Atlético Madrid, the German has accumulated 23 clean sheets in 30 games, a figure that has allowed him to equal Claudio Bravo’s record in the 2013-2015 campaign. With a big difference. At this point in the competition, the Chilean had 17 goals without conceding, six less than the German. And there are still eight games on the Barcelona calendar for the season to end.
In addition, with just nine goals conceded so far this season in the League, Ter Stegen has also made Barcelona the first team in the entire history of the seven main European leagues (Spain, England, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and the Netherlands) who reached the first 30 rounds of the championship with fewer than ten goals conceded. Porto 1991-92 (Vitor Baia as goalkeeper) and Chelsea 2004-05 (Petr Cech) had 10 goals conceded in the same games.
Ter Stegen has only received goals from Real Madrid in the two league games, Real Sociedad, Osasuna, Betis, Espanyol and AlmerÃa. His best streak in this League was from August 28 to October 9 when he had six straight games to zero: Valladolid, Sevilla, Cádiz, Elche, Mallorca and Celta. “The defense is in formidable shape. And Ter Stegen I have always said that he is among the best three goalkeepers in the world and, for what we play, for me he is the best in the world. I have no doubt.”, stated Xavi.
