Marc-André ter Stegen will not repeat as a starter in the Copa del Rey. The German was in the Barça XI in the round of 32 against Guadalajara (0-2), but he has returned to the bench for the visit to Racing de Santander in the round of 16 of the tournament. Ultimately, Hansi Flick kept Joan García between the posts.
The manager had already anticipated his intention not to rotate in goal this Thursday, although it is customary for Barça to rely on their backup goalkeeper for the Cup. The debate had remained open about the possibility of seeing Ter Stegen or Wojciech Szczesny in action again at El Sardinero, but Flick has put an end to speculation by confirming Joan García as the starter.
The one from Sallent has accumulated 8 clean sheets in 18 matches this season, in which he conceded 16 goals. During his injury absence (October-November), Szczesny took over the goalkeeping duties, even with 'Matts' recovering from his lumbar surgery. The Pole played 9 matches in which he always conceded at least one goal (17 in total).
Barça fields Joan García and its starting defense at El Sardinero
Understanding that the visit to Racing, the leader of the Second Division, will be a complicated challenge, Flick has not wanted to take risks and, in addition to Joan García, **bet on his starting defense in Cantabria**. Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde remain as full-backs, while Pau Cubarsí will partner Gerard Martín in the center.
Regarding the Spanish Super Cup, the only one resting is **Eric García**. In midfield and attack, there are notable rotations, with Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford returning to the XI. Of the starters in attack on Sunday against Real Madrid, only Lamine Yamal repeats
Flick 'sentences' Ter Stegen, who will define his future shortly
Before the match began, Hansi Flick spoke with 'Movistar' regarding his lineup and Barça's future in the Cup. About the goalkeeper, he commented: "Some players need rest, but those who come in know the importance of the match. Joan is playing because he is number one".
In this regard, the German coach makes it clear that, if the Barcelona team continues to advance in the tournament, the player from Sallent will be a starter, just as he is in the League and Champions League. A scenario that forces Ter Stegen to look for a team, as **the captain needs to play regularly** in the second half of the season to secure his place with Germany in the World Cup
Girona, for the moment, is the most interested in the culé '1', although there are many doubts at Montilivi about Dominik Livakovic's future. In principle, the Croatian would return to Fenerbahce in January after breaking his one-year loan, but until this happens, it will be impossible to negotiate with Barça for Marc-André's loan.