Barcelona veteran’s return clears path for youngster to return to reserve-team dynamics | OneFootball

For the first time in months, Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned to the squad list for FC Barcelona this week, featuring on the bench as they faced Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League.

Up until that point, the 33-year-old goalkeeper had spent the entire campaign out on the sidelines after having undergone back surgery in the summer.

Having made good progress on his recovery, the German international resumed training a week or so ago and finally got the medical green light for the Eintracht clash.

Ter Stegen’s return allows Diego Kochen to return to Barça Atletic

Ter Stegen’s return has placed Diego Kochen back in the goal for Barça Atletic, reports Mundo Deportivo.

During the German goalkeeper’s absence, the United States international and Eder Aller covered the gap left by the first team captain.

When Joan Garcia was injured, the two reserve goalkeepers completed training sessions and appeared on squad lists.

Ter Stegen is back. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The domino effect left Emilio Bernad as Barça Atletic boss Juliano Belletti’s only available option. Bernad attended several training sessions under Hansi Flick, but since he is over 23, he cannot be called up for matches.

Now, Kochen has started the last two games for the reserve team, in Barbastro and Alcoy. This weekend, at Estadi Johan Cruyff against Valencia Mestalla, he could play his third consecutive match as a starter for the first time this season.

Ter Stegen’s return removes Kochen from the first-team dynamic, but it allows him to regain regular playing time, something crucial at this stage of his career. So far, he has played five matches with Barça Atletic.

The internal adjustments in the goalkeeping department led Belletti to call up Max Bonfill from the Juvenil A on several occasions, and even Gerard Sala once.

Now, with all three first-team goalkeepers fit, normality will return to the reserve side. Kochen has a clear path to continue accumulating minutes.