Deco devastated as Ter Stegen injury clouds Barça's cup progress
Barcelona's sporting director opens up about the German keeper's setback, Lamine Yamal's sparkling form, and the quiet January window during Copa del Rey clash.
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco spoke candidly during the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Albacete, addressing the unfortunate injury to Marc-André ter Stegen and sharing thoughts on the club’s current affairs.
Ter Stegen setback hits hard
Deco didn’t mince his words when discussing the German goalkeeper’s recent injury while on loan at Girona. “We’re very sad about it,” he admitted, clearly gutted about the situation. The timing couldn’t be worse as Ter Stegen had just delivered a blinding performance in his first match for the Catalan outfit.
The keeper’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, with Deco explaining that medical teams from both Barcelona and Girona will determine the rehabilitation process. It’s proper bad luck for the German international who was shipped out to get regular minutes between the sticks.
Yamal back to his brilliant best
On a more positive note, Deco expressed delight at Lamine Yamal’s recent performances. The youngster seems to have rediscovered his early-season spark that had Barcelona fans purring.
“When he enjoys himself, it’s good for us,” Deco noted about the talented teenager who continues to justify the hype surrounding him. The lad’s been absolute mustard lately, showing why he’s considered one of the brightest prospects in world football.
January business wrap-up
Barcelona’s winter transfer activity was minimal, with Deco highlighting just two significant moves:
- Marc ter Stegen’s loan to Girona (now complicated by injury)
- João Cancelo’s arrival providing reinforcement on both defensive flanks
Despite the limited market activity, Deco expressed satisfaction with the squad’s current composition, though the ter Stegen situation has clearly thrown a spanner in the works regarding their plans for the goalkeeper.
The sporting director’s comments came during the Copa del Rey fixture at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, where Barcelona continued their push for silverware under Xavi.