Supply: Ter Stegen out months after knee damage

A knee damage will rule out Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen for months after he was carried off on a stretcher throughout Sunday’s 5-1 LaLiga win at Villarreal, a supply confirmed to ESPN.

Barça coach Hansi Flick confirmed the damage seems to be “large and critical,” however added he couldn’t provide any timeframe till he undergoes additional checks.

Radio station RAC1 reported Ter Stegen, who was taken to a hospital near Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica, could possibly be out for so long as eight months, which might rule him out for the remainder of the season.

“It does not look good for Marc,” Flick informed Spanish tv after the sport. “Now we have to attend to know the total analysis of the damage, nevertheless it’s true it does look like actually critical.”

Ter Stegen, 32, collapsed to the bottom after claiming a nook on the finish of the primary half and it was instantly clear that he wouldn’t have the ability to proceed. Iñaki Peña changed him.

The damage to the German worldwide tainted what was in any other case a great day for Barça, who scored 5 occasions to make it six wins from six in LaLiga this season and stay 4 factors clear on the prime of the desk.

“This damage makes us unhappy,” Flick mentioned in a information convention. “Whenever you win 5-1 at Villarreal, the followers right here within the stadium, additionally these watching on tv, noticed a improbable match.

“Additionally from Villarreal, [they played with] unbelievable velocity and had been dynamic within the match. With nice objectives from us, we’re very proud of the 5-1, however on the finish we’re unhappy as a result of I believe the damage can be large, however we’ve to attend for info.”

Ter Stegen joins a prolonged damage record at Barça, with Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Fermín López and Dani Olmo all at the moment out of motion as effectively.

Regardless of that, Barça have the perfect document in LaLiga, with Flick as soon as once more placing his religion in kids at Villarreal by handing first begins of the season to Sergi Domínguez and Pablo Torre, whereas Gerard Martín additionally got here into the facet at left-back.

“On the finish, the staff has good character,” Flick mentioned of Barça’s capability to beat setbacks this season.

“I might say the angle is unbelievably good. I like it, day by day, the combination between very targeted and likewise having fun with enjoying soccer. That is what we like.

“Now we have to just accept [the injuries]. Marc at the moment, it was an accident. It is actually powerful, however we’ve sufficient gamers. I’m actually pleased with the staff and the way they performed. Everybody who got here in did improbable. It was an enormous win for us.”

A brace from Robert Lewandowski — his fifth and sixth objectives in LaLiga this season — gave Barça a 2-0 lead earlier than Villarreal’s Ayoze Pérez pulled a aim again heading into the break.

The house facet then flew out of the traps within the second half, having the second of three objectives disallowed for offside and hitting the crossbar earlier than Pablo Torre restored Barça’s two-goal lead. Torre additionally arrange the opener for Lewandowski.

Raphinha then scored twice to wrap up the three factors for Barça, the second after a elegant Lamine Yamal cross, after Thierno Barry‘s header had been dominated out for offside.

There have been some unsavoury moments within the latter phases of the match, with Yamal subjected to some tough challenges because the Villarreal gamers grew pissed off.

“Now we have to guard each participant,” Flick mentioned. “I have never seen the conditions so clear, possibly when analyse the sport I can say extra, however I do not wish to communicate an excessive amount of about Lamine.

“He is doing nice, he has plenty of high quality, but additionally the opposite gamers are. Lewandowski and Raphinha with objectives at the moment, our centre defenders, our midfield is absolutely artistic. We’re a staff in defence and assault, a compact unit … a staff that likes to play for one another.”