Spain engages in action against deteriorated vessels stationed at wharves.
Marc-André ter Stegen's blunder significantly contributed to FC Barcelona's first loss under Hansi Flick's management. The criticism directed towards the German national team star has been severe, resulting in heated discussions about his future as Barcelona's goalkeeper. This unfavorable situation arrives at an inconvenient time for ter Stegen.
Following his attempt to rectify his error, ter Stegen attempted to argue with referee Allard Lindhout, using hand gestures. Unfortunately, Eric Garcia's early red card had already been sealed. After a rocky Champions League debut and Barcelona's initial loss under Flick, ter Stegen was slammed for his performance.
"Ter Stegen's debacle" and "a game to forget" were some of the headlines featured in "AS", equating the 1-2 defeat against AS Monaco to the start of a potential goalkeeper evaluation: "His mistakes in Monaco have rekindled a debate that has long been avoided in Barcelona due to his inconsistent performances (...)."
Ter Stegen in the limelight after Neuer's retirement
Both Mundo Deportivo and Marca criticized ter Stegen for his fatal pass in the tenth minute that resulted in Garcia's red card. Flick, who suffered his first defeat as Barcelona's new head coach after five consecutive league victories, commented: "The red card completely shifted the narrative of the game." However, he also accepted the setback gracefully: "We must move forward - these events occur occasionally," said Flick: "I believe we are capable of delivering a solid Champions League performance."
For ter Stegen, who wasn't particularly impressive during George Ilenikhena's game-winning goal (71st minute), it was an unpleasant evening in an otherwise significant season. For the first time, he is the primary goalkeeper for Germany, following Manuel Neuer's retirement. With the 2026 World Cup looming, he now faces even more scrutiny as he strives to establish his dominance within the Spanish giants.
"It was a situation we did not manage well. I feel sorry for Eric because he ended up suffering, and we had to play with one less player for almost 80 minutes," said ter Stegen, reflecting on the incident: "Something happened that shouldn't have." However, he saw opportunities to rectify his mistake in the new Champions League format. Ter Stegen, a key player for Barcelona for nine years, intends to make amends on Sunday, as Barcelona aims to maintain their lead in La Liga against fourth-placed FC Villarreal.
Ter Stegen's poor performance in the soccer match against AS Monaco has been a topic of discussion, with many critics pointing towards his fatal pass that led to Eric Garcia's early red card. Despite the setback, Ter Stegen remains optimistic, viewing the new Champions League format as an opportunity to make amends and regain his form, as Barcelona faces fourth-placed FC Villarreal in La Liga.
