La Liga 2024: Barca's 5-1 Victory Comes At The Cost Of Ter Stegen's Injury

Barcelona's triumph over Villarreal away at Estadi de la Ceramica was overshadowed by Ter Stegen's injury.

Flick started the game with many new faces, giving much-needed rest to his regulars. Blaugrana picked up the dominance from where they left off in the league growing quickly in the game. The Polish striker broke the deadlock in the 20th minute followed by his second in the 35th minute into the game. Villarreal in response made in 1-2 in just 3 minutes of Barca's second goal.

The Setback

The moment of blue in the match was Ter Stegen's injury while landing awkwardly after grabbing the ball under the pressure of the opposition's attack. When he went down he screamed "My Knee, My knee!" The reaction on his teammate's face said it all. His season could be over as he left the pitch on a stretcher in tears.

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Inaki Pena, the second-choice goalkeeper for the team had to come on and had a decent game making multiple saves. The visiting side eventually scored more 3 goals in the second half with 2 goals coming from Raphinha and a screamer from Pablo Torre making it a comfortable 5-1 win.

Desolate Camp Of FC Barcelona

But the mood in Barca's camp was gloomy after the captain's injury. The report says Ter Stegen has suffered a serious injury to the patellar tendon of his right knee. He already suffered from the same injury in 2020 and in 2021 he underwent surgery in Sweden. In this case, it is a total tear so he is expected to be out for at least 7 to 8 months.

The injury list of FC Barcelona increases to 8 with 7 players already out injured. Barcelona officials will be looking out for options to replace Ter Stegen. It can be someone who is currently without a contract or signing a keeper normally in winter transfer window.