Barcelona management caught off guard by veteran’s starting role against Guadalajara | OneFootball

Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s inclusion in Hansi Flick’s starting XI against Guadalajara was not just unexpected for fans. It came as a genuine shock within the club itself. 

In the build-up to the Copa del Rey tie, everything pointed towards Wojciech Szczesny being given the nod between the posts. 

Instead, when the team sheet dropped, it was the German goalkeeper’s name that stood out, not in a routine way.

Now, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the reaction internally was one of real surprise and confusion. 

Members of Barcelona’s management and executive team were reportedly caught off guard, sensing that something had shifted from the agreed plan without prior clarity. 

The assumption inside the club had been clear for days that Szczesny would start, continuing a carefully managed transition in the goalkeeping department.

A surprise for all

Ter Stegen was a surprise starter against Guadalajara. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

That internal belief was tied closely to Barcelona’s strategy. The thinking was that if Joan Garcia is viewed as Flick’s number one, and Ter Stegen is no longer part of the long-term starting picture, then clarity was essential. 

By limiting Ter Stegen’s involvement, the club hoped the message would be to encourage him to consider a move during the January transfer window rather than allowing uncertainty to linger.

Flick’s decision to start Ter Stegen disrupted that stand. After the match, the Barcelona coach attempted to downplay the significance of the call, insisting that the decision applied only to that specific game. 

However, within the club, the situation is being watched closely. There is a strong awareness of Ter Stegen’s character and influence. Barcelona know that once the German sets his mind on something, he can be persistent. 

Having already played in the Copa del Rey, it cannot be ruled out that Ter Stegen may now push for continued involvement in the competition. 

Should Flick be receptive to that idea, it would hand the goalkeeper a sporting reason to stay put, something the club is keen to avoid.