Barcelona’s pre-season preparations under Hansi Flick are already raising eyebrows across Europe.
With the new manager eager to stamp his authority and introduce tactical adjustments, players are under pressure to impress early.
Flick, known for his high demands and emphasis on structure, has implemented more intense training regimes than many players were accustomed to.
While most of the squad have embraced the change, not everyone has been seen fully participating—prompting speculation about both fitness and future roles in the side.
One name that has drawn particular attention this week is Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The experienced goalkeeper, and long-time Barcelona number one, has now missed two consecutive days of group training.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who report that the 33-year-old once again sat out team drills on Tuesday.
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The German instead worked alone in the gym while the rest of the squad trained outdoors at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva base.
“As happened yesterday in the debut on the pitch of the Barca players, Ter Stegen again remained on the fringes of the group and worked out in the gym,” the outlet confirmed.
While it has been stressed that the issue is understood to be a minor fitness concern, the timing has only amplified talk around his future.
Barcelona announced the signing of Joan Garcia last month, and many would’ve been thinking that Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s time at the club has run out.
Questions were raised at the end of last season whether Ter Stegen’s profile still fits the vision long-term.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen and his extended absence from full training has done little to quiet outside interest.
It remains to be seen whether the German international will return to group activities later this week or continue on an individual recovery path.
Barcelona fans will see whether this is more than just a routine precaution—but until he’s back between the sticks, uncertainty will persist.
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