Marc-André ter Stegen made his comeback after a three-month injury break in the LaLiga game against FC Granada (3:3) on Sunday evening – a comeback that is emblematic of the Catalans’ current situation.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
Because: The DFB star had to reach behind himself three times in his first game after the long time out and made a shaky impression, especially in the opening phase, and almost caused an own goal with inaccuracy on the ball.
Ter Stegen can’t save Barcelona either
Although he was hardly able to do anything about the goals conceded and made a few saves to ensure that things didn’t end even worse, he still wasn’t the “big savior” that people had hoped for.
In general, defense is one of Barcelona’s biggest problems; the Catalans have already conceded 33 goals in 24 games. This last happened in the 2000/01 season, which is why the Spanish newspaper as wrote about the “biggest bloodletting in 23 years”.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
“We can’t concede three goals in a game like this. We have to be more concentrated to defend the flanks. We know that, but today it was not possible to do it better,” explained ter Stegen after the game.
Championship? “We won’t throw in the towel yet”
Barcelona is having a weak season and is in third place in the table after 24 games, ten points behind Real Madrid.
The DFB star doesn’t want to give up the championship completely yet, as the season is still long and you still have the chance to gain points on your direct competition against Girona and the big arch-rivals from the capital. Nevertheless, he also knows that it will be difficult and that no game should be underestimated.
Coach Xavi also emphasized that they don’t want to give up the championship yet: “We won’t throw in the towel. We’re not giving up on the league yet.”
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
The ex-professional, who announced his departure at the end of January at the end of the season, put his finger on the wound: “The feeling is not good. Defensive mistakes mark the season. That’s a lot of goals conceded that can be attributed to defensive errors. This is killing us.”
But it is not really realistic that the Catalans can intervene in the championship fight again. Especially since the form curve has been pointing downwards for weeks and there was no chance in the direct duels. In addition, important players are currently missing: Gavi, Alejandro Baldé, Joao Félix and Sergi Roberto. However, the squad should still be good enough to win against Granada.
Is there even a risk of an early separation from Xavi?
If they continue to have such big problems with the goals conceded, in the worst case scenario it could even cost them qualification for the Champions League.
The Blaugrana are currently six points ahead of fifth place, but this lead could quickly be lost. In such a case, those responsible at Barca around President Joan Laporta would even have to think about an early separation from coach Xavi, Spanish newspapers speculate.
In addition to the 44-year-old, former Bayern star Robert Lewandowski is also criticized. The Pole is the best scorer in the third place in the table with ten goals, but had to overcome a long goal drought and was sharply criticized for it.
“If you were to see Lewandowski for the first time, you would wonder how someone so awkward, slow and clumsy could play for the Spanish champions,” ESPN journalist Graham Hunter wrote in December.
The 35-year-old has now been able to regain some composure and also scored once in the game against Granada. However, Lewandowski’s time at Barcelona is not going as expected.
However, there shouldn’t be an early separation, at least from his side, because he feels very comfortable at the club and the family is happy there, as he recently revealed in an interview with Sport.
Hope for a golden Barca future?
Nevertheless, it’s not all bad, as they are well prepared for the future with players like Lamine Yamal.
The 16-year-old comes from our own youth team and has played in all 24 games so far. Against Granada he scored twice and thus avoided defeat. He also became the youngest player in the history of the Spanish league to score two goals in one game.
If you click here, you will see Twitter content and agree that your data will be processed for the purposes set out in Twitter’s privacy policy. SPORT1 has no influence on this data processing. You also have the option to activate all social widgets. You can find information about revocation here.
In addition to Lamine, the club is also well prepared for the future with players like Gavi, Pedri, Baldé and the 17-year-old central defender Pau Cubarsí. It remains to be seen whether these players can make it, fulfill their potential and shape an era.
There could definitely be a big change in the summer. Until then, the current staff must ensure that the season does not become any more bitter than it already is.