Ahead of Barcelona’s season restart this weekend against RCD Espanyol, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has granted an interview to Mundo Deportivo, during which he discussed several important topics ranging from the club’s form to his teammates and the season objectives.
Talking about how he is feeling ahead of the restart of the campaign, the German goalkeeper said: “Very well, looking forward to it. It’s not an easy situation for the coach because some played many more games than others in the World Cup, some finished on the 18th.
“It’s not easy to manage this and I think they’ve done very well. Now we’re all at the same level so we can focus on what’s to come.”
Barcelona have not played for almost six weeks and will resume their La Liga campaign with a demanding clash such as the Catalan derby against Espanyol. And ter Stegen is relishing the challenge, as he said:
“That’s how it should be. Everyone knows what a derby means for the Culés and we’re going for everything.”
Currently leading the La Liga standings with a two-point lead over Real Madrid, ter Stegen insisted Barcelona deserved to be in front, saying: “After all the time we played before the World Cup, I think we deserve to be at the top.
“Now we have to fight for the next six months to be there at the end to lift the cup. These are things that everyone loves and we have a chance to continue with the same dynamic as we finished in the league in November.”
While Barcelona have a fully-fit squad for the game, Robert Lewandowski will be unavailable due to his three-match suspension. But, the goalkeeper is confident that the team can cope without their ace striker, as he said:
“He’s a player who makes the difference but I’m calm because we know we have a lot of quality, especially up front. It won’t be easy to make up for this loss but I’m sure we’ll do it differently and it will be the same.”
In a recent interview, Lewandowski admitted to have a good bond with ter Stegen. Giving an insight into their relationship, the German star said: “Above all, what we always want is for the new signings to get used to what they find here very quickly and we try to help everyone.
“In this case, because he speaks German, it’s easier to try to get him to adapt quickly. I think he’s doing great in terms of football and also on a personal level. I think he really enjoys being here, he’s very enthusiastic, I see him wanting to succeed here and to show his quality.”
When asked if Lewandowski was the best signing Barcelona had made after Lionel Messi’s exit last year, he replied: “Above all, I think he is a player who makes a difference and Barça knew exactly what they were going to find and what they were going to sign.
“He is a player who needs little explanation, everything he has achieved so far, what he is going to bring us…. I’m happy because it always helps the club and the teammates, especially because it’s important to have people with experience.”
On Lewandowski’s suspension, he said: “I can’t get involved in something I didn’t see, nor on the pitch, which was 70 or 80 metres away from my position. It is a decision they have taken and we are going to respect it.
“We accept it even if we have a different opinion. We’re going to try to get everything right and even if Lewy is not here, we’ll be able to continue in a good dynamic.”
The chat then shifted to Lionel Messi as ter Stegen was asked if the Argentine’s World Cup triumph ended the debate of who was the greatest footballer of all time. In response, he said:
“I don’t think there is no one like Leo, he deserves all this and he deserves the satisfaction he always needed. But for me there was never a debate.”
Ter Stegen’s Barcelona teammate Sergi Roberto had recently admitted that he had messaged Messi after the World Cup but had not received a response. When asked if he too had sent a message, the German shot-stopper said: “Surely he must have received many messages?”
With Gerard Pique retiring, one of the captaincy slots at Barcelona has opened up, and ter Stegen has been tipped as the frontrunner for the role. On whether he would be interested in taking it up, he said:
“I’ve already said that wearing an armband at Barça is very special and the times I’ve been able to do it I’ve worn it with a lot of pride. But in the end we have many personalities in the dressing room.
“Now Gerard Piqué has retired, who was a very important person for the dressing room and it’s difficult to compensate for that. But now it has to be a few more experienced players who have to fill the gap. It’s the perfect time for everyone to step up.”
At the same time, he insisted that it was important for all of his teammates to step up, saying: “Whether or not I am the fourth captain, something I would be very proud of, I ask all my teammates to take a step forward, that it is not necessary to wear the armband but to be an important person in the dressing room.”
Having been at Barcelona for more than seven years now, ter Stegen has integrated himself well with the club and the city. So, when asked if he would retire at Camp Nou, he said:
“It’s a question that comes a little early because I’m looking forward to playing for many more years. Barça is the perfect club for me personally at the moment and I’m proud to wear this shirt as I have all these years.
“I’m delighted because people treat me very well, they respect me a lot, both personally and my family too and now it’s the perfect place for me.”
Not long after his arrival, Barça enjoyed great success under then-manager Luis Enrique, winning the famous treble. But things have not gone well for the club, especially in Europe in recent years, which has had an effect on ter Stegen.
“Those defeats, especially the ones in Rome, Liverpool or against Bayern Munich leave you with a very bitter taste and this is not what we are looking for and what we want to be,” he admitted.
“I think we made a change in the dressing room, a lot of changes and we also started to create other habits with Xavi who has a very clear idea. This helps us to get back to where we were.
“There were some tough years but they weren’t Barça teams that didn’t know how to play football, although the way we lost or were eliminated is not how it should be.”
Talking about the objectives for the season, ter Stegen insisted: “Above all, we need to win titles no matter what. We are in a very good moment, we have many titles to win and the objective is to get into a good dynamic, which is key to being at one hundred percent in the games.”
The 30-year-old was also full of praise for Barcelona midfield prodigies Pedri and Gavi, as he said: “They are two very different players, they have age in common, they are both very young but football-wise they are a spectacle, especially as a fan.
“It makes you very excited to see young players who dare a lot, who have nothing to lose. This is good and I love it. Watching the two of them gives me a very good feeling and I hope it continues for many years to come.”
The former Borussia Monchengladbach ace also discussed his relationship with Xavi and whether it had changed from having been his teammate to now playing under him.
“The relationship has always been one of great respect for each other and now he is the coach but for me nothing has changed, the respect remains the same. We talk, we are very honest, and this is what I ask of him, to be honest, to improve,” ter Stegen said.
“Now he is in another role but it doesn’t change anything. I listen to him anyway, with what he also said when he was last at Barça, that he also had a lot of importance in the dressing room, and I’m happy for him that he’s been able to come back. It’s his right and perfect place.”
Also talking about Sergio Busquets, whose contract expires at the end of the season, ter Stegen admitted that he wishes the 34-year-old remains at Barcelona beyond the summer of 2023, saying:
“Of course I would, he gives us a lot of peace of mind as a person, in difficult games he has this experience that young players can’t have, it’s impossible for them to have it, or for me to have it.
“But he has won many titles, he knows what he is like and in the end, he is a person who gives us a lot of peace of mind on and off the pitch.”
Signing off, the German international had a message for everyone ahead of the New Year, as he said: “One wish is that above all for the team, which is a great team, that we have health, and also for the fans because that is the most important thing.
“If you have it and you can work and have your personal goals. Good health to you too and let’s hope that together it will be a great year for Barça.”