What did Hansi Flick say about Ter Stegen's return? | OneFootball

The German goalkeeper faces a tough test.

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Barcelona secured a hard-fought passage to the next round of the Copa del Rey, but the talking point of the night was the long-awaited return of captain Marc-André ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper made his first appearance since May 18, marking an end to a six-month absence due to a combination of injuries and a reported high-profile conflict with head coach Hansi Flick.

The Blaugrana needed late goals from Christensen and Marcus Rashford to finally break down a resilient Guadalajara defense in the Round of 32 clash. After the match, Coach Flick expressed his satisfaction with the team's mentality and took a moment to address the significance of his captain's comeback.

"I'm very pleased with the attitude of my players and the win," Flick stated in his post-match interview with Marca. "Cup matches, even against lower-division teams, are always tough, but we played well. What matters most is the mentality and focus we showed throughout the match."

He specifically highlighted the deliberate decision to reintegrate the 33-year-old stalwart: "Marc-André ter Stegen is the team captain. He's played many games for our club. We had a discussion within the coaching staff and wanted to give him the opportunity to play after such a long break."

Flick again emphasized the challenges posed by such fixtures, praising both his squad and the opponent: "Cup ties are never easy, as I've said before. The opponent defended brilliantly. I liked our players' approach to the game—there was no underestimation of the rival. That's the key to our victories. It's not always easy to score in such matches, but we managed to do it."

Ter Stegen's return to action is a major boost for Barcelona as they navigate a busy season. The goalkeeper, whose current contract with the club runs until June 2028, will be looking to reclaim his undisputed number-one spot following his extended period on the sidelines.