The Digest:
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has praised Marc-Andre ter Stegen after giving the club captain a shock start in the Copa del Rey, describing it as a deserved "opportunity" that the German goalkeeper took with a clean-sheet victory.
Key Points:
- Hansi Flick started Marc-Andre ter Stegen in Barcelona's 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Guadalajara, his first start in months.
- Flick said the decision was made to respect Ter Stegen's 12 years at the club and reward his professionalism during recovery.
- He described it as a "good next step" in the goalkeeper's rehabilitation but clarified it was "just for this match."
- Ter Stegen made several key saves, helping secure the victory and reminding us of his enduring quality.
- The start came as a surprise, with Wojciech Szczesny expected to deputize for rested number one Joan Garcia.
- Flick attributed the win to the squad's "pressure and attitude," praising the team's mentality despite rotations.
- The move honored Ter Stegen's legacy without disrupting Joan Garcia's established position as first-choice keeper.
Sources: GOAL, Marca
