Barcelona maintained their perfect start to their 2024-25 LaLiga campaign with a sixth consecutive victory in their 5-1 win at Villarreal, but it came at a cost as the celebrations were marred by a potential season-ending victory to their captain.
Head coach Hansi Flick dodged putting a specific time on how long Marc-Andre ter Stegen could be out, but admitted the injury to the goalkeeper was a serious one.
“It looks like a serious injury, he felt it, you could see it on the pitch,” Flick said in his press conference.
The German was visibly in pain as he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher, after he landed badly after jumping for a ball just before the interval.
All of the 32-year-old’s weight fell on his right leg as he injured the same knee which he has already had two surgeries on over the last years, and Spanish media are reporting are reporting another surgery could end his season.
Quizzed on whether a replacement is being thought of following the injury, Flick responded;
“I don’t like this question right after the game. First we have to see what happens with Marc, he’s our captain.
“I’m very sad about what happened. Please understand that I don’t want to answer this question. I haven’t been able to speak to Ter Stegen.”
