Ter Stegen has not yet trained this week with Barcelona to prepare for the visit to the Rayo Vallecano field. The German goalkeeper returned early from his national team due to back discomfort, which caused Nagelsmann to withdraw him from the two friendly matches against Turkey and Germany. At the moment, the treatment that he is undergoing at Barça for his low back pain has not yet borne fruit for the goalkeeper to be able to go out on the pitch, so with less than 48 hours until the duel, the trip to Vallecas is a doubt.
For now, rest. Although the forecast can change quickly. “Every day I have to see how it evolves. I am in constant contact with the doctors to evaluate what steps to take. We will see tomorrow (Friday) how I am and we will decide,” explained Ter Stegen at the Marca newspaper gala, where he received the Di Stéfano award as best player in the 22-23 League, in which he only conceded 18 goals. In the first 13 days, this course has received 13 goals.
Undisputed starter at Barcelona, ??where this season he is usually the captain in the absence of Sergi Roberto, Xavi hopes that he is recovered since so far he has not missed a game. In the last one, against Alavés, he was key in preventing Samu from making it 0-2 in the several opportunities he had in the first half and thus Barça was able to come back.
If he is not finally ready for the game, Iñaki Peña will replace him. Although he is 24 years old, the youth goalkeeper has never started a league match. At the end of last season he participated in two games (in Zorrilla and Balaídos) but always coming off the bench. The man from Alicante has defended the Barcelona goal in Champions and Cup matches.
