FC Barcelona is mere hours away from facing Athletic Club in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup taking place in Saudi Arabia.
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| Fc Barcelona V Elche Cf - La Liga Ea Sports BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 02: Diego Kochen of FC Barcelona looks on during the Spanish league, La Liga EA Sports, football match played between FC Barcelona and Elche CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 02, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) |
Last night, the team received upsetting news when it was reported that club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen had sustained an injury and departed from the team’s camp to head back to Catalonia.
Although the German goalkeeper was not likely to start or participate in the semi-final or a possible final, he provided valuable backup in case anything happened to their primary keeper, Joan Garcia.
His absence has left Barcelona without sufficient goalkeeper options. It is not wise to enter a match with only two goalkeepers available on the bench, prompting Barcelona to summon reserve goalkeeper Diego Kochen.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the American has now arrived in Jeddah and has joined the team. Kochen reached the location just before lunchtime and was welcomed by Hansi Flick prior to integrating with his senior teammates.
He will certainly not be involved in tonight's match, but this situation will give him significant exposure. On the other hand, ter Stegen’s injury is unfortunate for the club.
Barcelona is urgently trying to transfer him out during this winter transfer window, and any potential loan arrangement is currently uncertain.
This situation is also not favorable for ter Stegen. With the World Cup approaching, Julian Nagelsmann has clearly stated that the experienced goalkeeper needs to be actively playing in order to be considered for selection.
That is certainly not feasible at Barcelona, and we will have to see how his future unfolds.
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