Barcelona star Marc-André ter Stegen has been forced into a premature departure from the club’s squad for the Spanish Super Cup.
This comes, despite the ongoing speculation surrounding the German’s future, owing to a fitness problem.
As per a statement across Barcelona’s website and social media platforms:
‘Ter Stegen leaves the Barça squad’s training camp in Saudi Arabia to return to Barcelona for medical tests. Diego Kochen, the reserve team goalkeeper, will join the group tomorrow.’
Ter Stegen’s departure of course comes with Barcelona primed to kick their Supercopa campaign into gear later this evening.
With sights on defending their title, Hansi Flick’s troops have first been pencilled in for a semi-final meeting with Athletic Club.
Should the Blaugrana do enough to advance beyond former manager Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic, a showpiece clash with one of Real and Atlético Madrid will then follow on Sunday evening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Conor Laird – GSFN
