Ter Stegen shows Germany what they’re missing

Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images

The stopper saved a penalty against Borussia Dortmund

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was the hero for Ernesto Valverde’s side on Tuesday night, saving a second-half penalty from Marco Reus to secure a 0-0 draw for the visitors.

It was a brilliant save from Barcelona’s No.1, up against Germany international team-mate Marco Reus, and he even collected the rebound with some nonchalance. It was almost as if he knew he was not going to be beaten at the Westfalenstadion.

Of course Ter Stegen is no stranger to saving penalties in the Champions League. He’s now saved four of the six he has faced in the competition, more than any other goalkeeper has managed (well, since Opta started keeping score at least).

4 - @mterstegen1 has saved four of the six penalties he has faced in #UCL. Since the beginning of detailed data collection in 2003-04, no other keeper has saved more (Pyiatov also 4). Wall. #BVBFCB pic.twitter.com/oT8mVVgP2H

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) September 17, 2019

The penalty was not the only save Ter Stegen was forced to make on a busy old evening for the Barcelona stopper. The only time he was beaten, by Julian Brandt’s shot from range, the crossbar came to his aid. They say you earn your luck in this game and maybe Ter Stegen did.

His performance even earned praise from Carles Puyol and Iker Casillas on Twitter:

Gracias @mterstegen1

— Carles Puyol (@Carles5puyol) September 17, 2019

El nivel de @mterstegen1 hoy es sensacional. ⬆️

— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) September 17, 2019

The Barcelona goalkeeper will certainly have enjoyed himself on his return to his homeland, particularly given the verbal clashes he and No. 1 Manuel Neuer have indulged in over recent days,

The Barcelona stopper has made his disappointment at being on the Germany bench over the international break pretty clear. Neuer responded with a “we have to stick together” line which seemed to have annoyed the usually composed Ter Stegen.

He said in his pre-match press conference “everyone has seen how I have conducted myself over the last few years.” We certainly have, and we saw another brilliant example on Tuesday night.

Ter Stegen once again showed Germany what they’re missing by helping an under-par Barcelona collect an important point and the team’s first clean sheet of the season at a tough away ground.

Source: barcablaugranes.com