Summer has not yet really started that tension is already at its height at FC Barcelona. Behind the scenes, a fierce duel promises to be, not in attack or in the midfield, but in the cages. The Catalan club officially recruited Joan Garcia, revelation of the season at Espanyol, and did it with a clear promise: that of entrusting him with the role of titular goalkeeper. A decision that did not fail to shake up the established order.
Ter Stegen, put in front of the fait accompli
So far Captain of Barça and indisputable between the posts, Marc-André Ter Stegen learned the arrival of Garcia without having been consulted. An expeditious method that caused his anger, especially since no leader has taken the trouble to speak to him directly. If officially, nobody pushes the German porter towards the exit, the club's financial reality leaves little doubts: a departure from Ter Stegen would considerably reduce the payroll.
Hansi Flick, just arrived, will have to play diplomats. The German technician is expected to have a frank discussion with his compatriot. Barcelona hopes that this conversation will clarify everyone's intentions. The club does not want to enter an open showdown, but expects to make Stegen to make a choice: stay and accept the competition, or leave.
Flick inherits a headache in the cages
The game of musical chairs in goals
The reshuffle exceeds the two main ones concerned. Inaki Pena is on the start, Ander Astralaga should be loaned after prolonging, and the young Aron Yaakishvili is expected to become a holder with Barça Atlètic. Clearly, the whole hierarchy of Blaugrana guards are being redesigned.
In this organized chaos, Ter Stegen remains faithful to the German reputation in terms of guards. Across the Rhine, the duels between porters are an old habit: Kopke against Illner, Kahn against Lehmann, then Neuer against Ter Stegen himself. Germany has never liked to designate a number one without debate. And today, this tradition extends in Catalan land.
