Barcelona's perfect start to the season continued following a 5-1 win over Villarreal. However, it came at a steep price.
Near the end of the first half, Marc-Andre ter Stegen came out to collect the cross off a corner. It seemed a routine catch but as he came down, he immediately fell to the ground. His teammates quickly called for the medical staff and the pain Ter Stegen was under was palpable.
Lesió Greu de Ter Stegen: que se’n va del Camp amb evidents mostres de dolor. Luxació de ròtula. pic.twitter.com/BhW9002dAj
— Lluís Puig (@Fisioinquiet) September 22, 2024
Ter Stegen needed to be carted off on a stretcher with early signs pointing to yet another Barcelona player facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"It's hard to say anything now about Ter Stegen," Robert Lewandowski said postmactch. "I know he's in hospital. This win is for him."
Íñigo Martínez echoed similar sentiments.
"It looks bad for Ter Stegen," he said. "It's a shame because he has always been our captain. Despite not always wearing the armband. Nobody likes seeing him like this, we are hurt. We are saddened."
Pablo Torre: "We are leaving sad because of Ter Stegen's injury. We are all waiting for him." pic.twitter.com/AcxvfGgFk5
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 22, 2024
While it hasn't been confirmed, it appears Ter Stegen suffered an injury to the patellar tendon of the right knee, according to COPE's Helena Condis Edo.
If and when those results are confirmed, Ter Stegen is facing 8-9 months out, thus ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Despite the criticism he faced following the midweek loss in the Champions League, Ter Stegen remained Barcelona's best option at goalkeeper, he was having a good game against Villarreal, making crucial saves, including saving a one-on-one prior to the injury.
Hansi Flick admitted that Ter Stegen's injury was serious during his postmatch press conference and added that it's a blow both for Barcelona and the German national team. Ter Stegen was set to take over as the starter following Manuel Neuer's retirement.
Last season, Ter Stegen also missed a significant time due to injury, Iñaki Peña filled in with mixed results. Barcelona will either have to tread water with Iñaki Peña or one the goalkeepers from the B team or go out in the transfer market for a low-cost replacement.