Hansi Flick, the Barcelona manager, has confirmed Marc-André ter Stegen was omitted from the squad for Wednesday night’s Champions League trip to Slavia Prague after agreeing a loan move to Girona.
The 33-year-old Germany international, who has been in advanced talks over a deal that will take him to the Catalan club for the remainder of the season, has made just one appearance for Barcelona since returning to the squad following back surgery last summer.
“This morning, Marc said he was going to Girona,” Flick said of the Barcelona captain. “He’s a good goalkeeper, but for our future we made another decision.”
With Joan García firmly established as first-choice goalkeeper following his arrival from Espanyol last June, Ter Stegen is in need of playing time in order to secure a place in Germany’s World Cup squad this summer.
Hansi Flick: ‘I wish Marc-André ter Stegen the best’
“I wish him the best because he is a fantastic goalkeeper,” said Flick. “I hope he does well in the World Cup.”
As Barcelona touched down in the Czech capital for a fixture that will have a major bearing on their hopes of avoiding the need to navigate a play-off round in order to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, Ter Stegen was not the only notable absentee.
Ferran Torres, the club’s leading marksman this term, failed to make the trip after injuring a muscle in his right leg during Sunday’s unexpected defeat at Real Oviedo, which has cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to one point. The Spain international has scored 15 goals in 27 appearances for the club across all competitions.
Why Lamine Yamal will miss Slavia Prague showdown
Also missing is winger Lamine Yamal, who has contributed 10 goals and a dozen assists but is serving a one-game suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.
Portugal international João Cancelo, who recently arrived on loan from Al Hilal, is not registered for the league phase of the tournament, while Gavi and Andreas Christensen remain sidelined.
Currently 15th in the Champions League standings on 10 points, two points adrift of eighth-placed Atlético Madrid, Flick’s side are likely to need to win both their final league phase fixtures against Slavia and Copenhagen, who visit Camp Nou at the end of the month, if they are to make the top eight.
“This is the Champions League and there is always pressure,” said Flick. “Slavia are a team that defends very well, and the pressure is very high. We have had time to prepare for a Champions League match and we want to win the two games we have left. We want all six points.”
