Barcelona captain can only play two games this season despite nearing full fitness – report

After a long injury layoff, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has done an outstanding job to expedite his recovery process and move closer to a return.

Recent reports suggest the German could be back in action by the end of the month, which has led to a lot of chatter surrounding Barcelona’s goalkeeping department and whether or not Wojciech Szczesny would continue in between the sticks.

Flick has no plans to play ter Stegen

A recent report from Javi Miguel has cleared the air a bit, offering insights into Hansi Flick’s plans in the goalkeeping department as ter Stegen nears return to full fitness.

The report suggests ter Stegen has minimal chances of playing for Barcelona this season, even if the club reach the Champions League final.

Flick will retain faith in Wojciech Szczesny despite ter Stegen’s impending return (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

It must be noted that ter Stegen is not even a part of Barcelona’s UCL squad anymore, as his injury was utilised to register Szczesny.

But apart from the UCL, Barcelona coach Flick plans to retain Szczesny as the main goalkeeper in the Copa Del Rey. Therefore, the Pole is set to start in the final against Real Madrid later in the campaign.

The method remains the same even in La Liga, where Szczesny is set to continue as the club’s first-choice ‘keeper in the coming matches.

Keeping that in mind, the only realistic possibility of ter Stegen playing this season could come at the end of the campaign, in Barça’s last two league matches.

Of course, Barça would hope to have clinched the title by this point so as to make sure these two last ties are inconsequential in the context of the title race.