Barcelona have entered a decisive stretch of the season, with Hansi Flick looking to stabilise performances after a turbulent run shaped by injuries and uneven displays.
The manager has placed renewed emphasis on internal competition, banking on returning players to strengthen key positions.
Defensive inconsistency has already forced the club to accelerate plans for the January window, with several departments undergoing review ahead of a demanding festive schedule.
Barcelona’s medical team have also been under scrutiny as supporters look for clarity on long-term absentees.
And with the Champions League knockout stages edging closer, every returning player could dramatically alter the club’s trajectory.
Only after these developments does the biggest update of the week emerge, and it concerns a cornerstone of Barcelona’s modern era.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is pushing hard to complete his recovery from the back injury that has kept him sidelined since the summer.
The Barcelona captain underwent surgery to resolve a persistent issue, with early forecasts suggesting that he might not return until sometime in 2026.
However, the situation has shifted considerably, and the German goalkeeper is now ahead of schedule.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has begun training on the pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva, although still separately from the main group.
The report states he is attempting to accelerate his return due to Barcelona’s timeline pressures, and the expectation is that he could rejoin full team training by late November or early December.
Medical clearance before the end of the year is now considered realistic.
After completing the first phase of his recovery at home, the 33-year-old has attended Flick’s sessions for several days, working alongside club physios but away from the rest of the squad and the other goalkeepers.
Those within the club indicate that his progress is firmly “on the right path”, with ter Stegen showing determination to return faster than anticipated.
Crucially, though, the situation around his role is becoming more complex.
While he has signalled to the club that he intends to fight for the No.1 position again, ter Stegen also understands that he may no longer be Flick’s first-choice option once fully fit.
With that in mind, the door to a departure remains partially open.
His immediate objective is to regain match rhythm, a factor he views as essential in determining his long-term future.
For now, the club are simply encouraged by his progress.
But as ter Stegen edges closer to full fitness, Barcelona must prepare for a major decision: reinstate a club legend, or move forward with a new hierarchy between the posts.
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