Barcelona will be Robert Lewandowski without star striker for both legs of their Champions League Semi-Final draw with Inter Milan, but that is not the only problem that boss Hansi Flick is confronted
Barcelona has to be unlikely hero Wojciech Szczesny if they want Marc -andre to Stegen to play in the Champions League – after Hansi Flick confirmed that their club captain was 'ready' to return. The news comes after Barca striker Robert Lewandowski has collected an injury that excludes him for about three weeks.
Ter Stegen, 32, has been out since September and has seriously injured his knee during a match against Villarreal. The German keeper suffered a complete break in the patella -tendon, causing Barca Szczesny to register in the event of an emergency.
Former Arsenal-Stop-Stopper Szczesny had announced his retirement only a few weeks earlier, but was convinced to make a U-turn in the absence of Ter Stegen. After he forced his time behind Academy -product Inaki Pena, Szczesny became Flick's No.1 in January and was unbeaten in his first 22 games.
But now that Ter Stegen is back in full training, four -fold Barcelona has a dilemma when it comes to European luminaires. UEFA rules state that Szczesny, to appear in the Champions League, must be registered from their team.
“As soon as the wounded or sick keeper is suitable to be returned, he can resume his position instead of his replacement,” the status is. “The return of the original keeper must be announced 24 hours before the next match at the UEFA administration in which the original goalkeeper will play.”
The former Poland International played a key role during their run to the semi-final, where they are confronted with Inter Milan and will decrease crucial rescues in a number of games. In anticipation of the Laliga match on Tuesday's home at Mallorca, Flick revealed that Ter Stegen can play again.
“He is ready, prepared,” said the Barca manager reporters. “We will talk about what we have to do. We will decide, talk to him, when it's time to come back.”
Flick has refused to be drawn on which goalkeeper will be chosen for the remaining Champions League matches, but Szczny himself would have no problem if Ter Stegen got the gloves. “I hope that if the decision goes the other way, Marc will also understand,” said the 35-year-old last week. “Whatever happens is up to Hansi, and we will respect it.”
Szczesny added about his fit-again teammate: “He has been at a top level for a long time. He has won the Champions League and I don't have that. I really admire it, so it's not logical to compare us.”
Regarding the Lewandowski injury, Flick was reluctant on a return date. His side face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday for another Clasico on 11 May, which could go a long way to decide which way the LaLiga is going.
Barca Twice Twice plays between those games. “We don't know how long it will be,” Flick replied when he was asked about Lewandowski. “When he is ready, we would like to welcome him back. It is not necessary to hurry.”