Sergi Roberto talks Ter Stegen, Inigo, Christensen, Pena, Camp Nou ahead of Barcelona vs Como | OneFootball

A year after leaving FC Barcelona, Sergi Roberto will face off against his boyhood club this weekend when Como 1907 take on the Catalans in the Joan Gamper Trophy match.

It will be a special occasion for the former Barça captain and club legend, who departed last summer as a free agent after having spent his entire professional career with the Blaugrana.

Ahead of his return to Barcelona, Roberto spoke with Gerard Romero on Jijantes FC, discussing various topics, including the situations of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Inigo Martinez.

Kicking things off, Roberto expressed his feelings at the prospect of playing against Barcelona, saying:

“I never imagined that I would play against my former team, the team of my life.”

The Spaniard also stated that he was even happier thinking that the Gamper Trophy match would take place at Spotify Camp Nou, allowing him to return to the hallowed stadium. However, that plan was cancelled and the match will now be played at Estadi Johan Cruyff.

“When I was told we might play Barcelona, I was excited about the prospect of returning to Camp Nou, but that wasn’t possible. But I’m very happy just to be back in Barcelona, my home,” admitted Roberto.

The former Barcelona captain then touched upon the sudden departure of his close friend Inigo Martinez, with the news of his transfer to Al-Nassr breaking last night. On being asked if he was aware of the situation beforehand, Roberto said:

“No, no, no, I didn’t know anything at all. I spoke to him yesterday when I saw the news, but I didn’t know anything. Honestly, his leaving is a huge loss.

“As a player, he’s had an incredible season, but as a teammate, he’s a very important loss.”

However, Roberto acknowledged that Barcelona have other options they can count on, highlighting Andreas Christensen’s availability as a big positive.

“Inigo’s absence is very important, but I think there are options. Andreas [Christensen] in particular. It’s great news to have him back,” he stated.

Roberto hoping for an amicable resolution for the Ter Stegen case. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The club icon then commented on the unsavoury situation Barcelona and Marc-Andre ter Stegen find themselves in, saying:

“Ultimately, it’s a delicate situation between two parties: one is the club I consider my life, and the other is a very good friend. It pains me a lot that things have reached this point, and I can’t say more because I’m not part of the details of what’s happening.

“I spoke with Marc several times this summer and met him too. The situation is very delicate, and I don’t think anyone wanted things to reach this point. But I hope that in the end, things will be resolved in the best possible way.”

With Ter Stegen being stripped of captaincy by Barcelona, Roberto was asked about how the captains were selected during his time at the club. In response, he said:

“We took a piece of paper and wrote down the four names. But now with Flick, I don’t know how it’s done.”

Roberto also spoke about another Barcelona goalkeeper, Inaki Pena, who is expected to leave this summer and has, interestingly, been linked with a move to Como.

“A truly excellent goalkeeper, and he showed that last season in the matches he played. For me, he’s a top-class goalkeeper,” said the former Barcelona captain.

“With the current state of goalkeepers, it might be time for him to move somewhere else where he can play more and get more opportunities, because I think that’s becoming very difficult at Barcelona right now.”