Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is one of the most important components of the FC Barcelona squad, as the German goalkeeper played a key part in Barcelona’s triumph in La Liga last season and also won the Zamora trophy by keeping the highest number of clean sheets in the league.
His media talk before the team’s training session in Los Angeles has been reported by SPORT, where the goalkeeper showed an intention to continue on this form for the coming seasons, but was also wary of the opponents he will be facing:
“I am in a very good moment, balanced both personally and football-wise. And I’m enjoying every moment on the field, that’s important. I am happy for what we achieved collectively and also personally.”
It wasn’t a goal for me, as my main concern is to keep a clean sheet in every game, but the opportunity presented itself, and I am super happy with what we accomplished. However, we are in a new season. We will face teams that will try to make our lives difficult, and we have to find solutions.”
The German also reflected on the team’s fortunes in the last two editions of the UEFA Champions League, and disclosed the objectives regarding the premier European footballing competition:
“Considering the last two years, the goal is to achieve much more in the Champions League. In the League, we played well, but we want to go far in the Champions League and, first, we’ll see who we face in the group stage and then take it step by step.”
Further commenting on the team’s chances to lift the Big Ears, Ter Stegen said:
“Last year, we had a spectacular season with a very young squad. We deserved to win the League, and now we have a more competitive team, and we are going to try to prove it in the Champions League, which is the goal. It has been shown with Inter that when you have luck, you can reach the final and fight for the title. We have to take it step by step.”
The goalkeeper also touched upon the topic of Barcelona’s recent signings, and his international teammate, Ilkay Gundogan:
“He is a fantastic footballer. Knowing how Pep is, he doesn’t need time to adapt. We will try to make him feel comfortable and help him bring his best to the field. He never gave me hints about whether he would come, but I always tried to make him see this as an exciting opportunity and a new challenge. It was a decision he had to make. I am happy to have a player of his caliber in the team.”
Camp Nou is currently undergoing renovations, and Barcelona is expected to play at Montjuic for a significant period of time. Ter Stegen encouraged the Cules to keep visiting Montjuic to support the team:
“We will convince them on the field. There is little else to say. I believe the fans trust us, and we trust them. It will be a change, and we will also have to adapt, but with the help of the fans, it will be easier. Montjuïc will be our thing, and I hope it shows.”
Thus, Ter Stegen has outlined the club’s and his personal objectives for the upcoming season. Winning the Champions League once again is definitely the dream of most Barcelona supporters, and they will be happy to see that the team’s second captain is also working in this direction.
