Barcelona veteran’s classy gesture handed Ter Stegen a starting spot vs Guadalajara – report | OneFootball

Marc-Andre ter Stegen was the surprise name in the FC Barcelona starting lineup on Tuesday night against CD Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey.

It was widely expected that with Joan Garcia set to be rested, Wojciech Szczesny would replace him. But Hansi Flick sprung a surprise and handed Ter Stegen his first appearance of the season, after the German had been out for five months due to a back surgery.

Szczesny’s role in Ter Stegen’s first start of the season

Now, according to Carlos Monfort of SPORT, Szczesny himself played a big role in ensuring that Ter Stegen would start for Barcelona against Guadalajara.

The Guadalajara match was key to clarifying the goalkeeping hierarchy at Barça. Joan Garcia is considered the undisputed starter in La Liga and the Champions League – the club’s and Flick’s main bet – but the question remained: who is the second-choice keeper?

Based on what happened in Guadalajara, the answer was Ter Stegen. But his start was neither random nor improvised, and certainly not the result of pressure from the German, nor an arbitrary decision by Flick.

Ter Stegen started for several reasons. First, Flick believed he was fully ready to play. The German coach saw his compatriot mentally prepared and eager to show he can compete for the position. The manager also took into account his status as first captain.

Ter Stegen started over Szczesny vs Guadalajara. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

However, there was another crucial factor: a three-way meeting held just hours before kick-off. Present were Szczesny, Ter Stegen and Flick.

During that meeting, the Pole made a key gesture by effectively encouraging Flick to give Ter Stegen the start. He explained that, as captain and after a long injury layoff, the 33-year-old deserved to play, essentially stepping aside to ease the situation.

Initially, Flick’s plan was for Szczesny to start. But the three-way discussion altered that plan just hours before the team took to the pitch. The decision pleased Ter Stegen, satisfied club officials watching from the directors’ box, and convinced the coach himself.

Flick viewed the Polish keeper’s attitude as exemplary. The gesture was also well-received in the club’s executive office as he proved himself to be a very good team player.

After the match, Flick was careful to stress that Ter Stegen’s start did not alter the established hierarchy, reiterating that the decision applied only to that game. From here on, it remains to be seen how he will manage the situation.