German national team manager Julian Nagelsmann expressed profound shock and disappointment over the news of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s serious knee injury. The Barcelona goalkeeper underwent surgery after suffering a rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee, an injury expected to sideline him for at least eight months.
The 32-year-old sustained the injury during Barcelona’s dominant 5-1 victory over Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday. Ter Stegen fell awkwardly after jumping for a ball, landing with a painful thud that sent him to the ground. His weight fell heavily on his right knee, which had previously undergone two surgeries in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
“The news of Marc’s injury was a big shock for us,” admitted Nagelsmann, who has now lost two experienced goalkeepers in a short span. In August, veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer announced his international retirement, leaving a void in the German national team. “We will miss him a lot on and off the pitch,” added Nagelsmann on the German FA (DFB) website. “We wish Marc all the best … we will always be there for him on his way back.”
In the wake of Ter Stegen’s injury, Germany’s goalkeeping depth has been severely tested. Nagelsmann had initially selected two uncapped keepers, Oliver Baumann of TSG Hoffenheim and Alexander Nubel of VfB Stuttgart, as backups for Ter Stegen during the Nations League matches against Hungary and the Netherlands earlier this month. Fulham’s Bernd Leno, a seasoned goalkeeper with nine international caps, was called up to the squad in March but did not see any playing time.
Germany, currently leading its Nations League group with four points from two matches, will face Bosnia and the Netherlands in October. Nagelsmann will have to navigate this crucial period without his first-choice goalkeeper, creating a significant challenge as Germany aims to maintain its strong start in the tournament.
