Barcelona set to be without key player for crucial Atletico Madrid clash

Barcelona have been left sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been battling injuries since mid-November.

Ter Stegen has already missed one match each in LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League, as well as two matches for Germany during the last international break, and fans had hoped that he would be available to face Atletico Madrid this weekend, but those hopes have taken a huge hit.

The German goalkeeper was absent from Barcelona training on Friday, leaving him only a slim chance of playing in the crucial tie against Atletico Madrid.

According to reports from Marca, ter Stegen did not take any part in Barcelona’s final training session ahead of the Atletico Madrid tie, as the Blaugrana do not want to rush him back to the first team despite the German goalkeeper training alone throughout the previous week.

Ter Stegen has been important for Barcelona this season, helping the team to six clean sheets in 13 LaLiga matches as they look to defend the league title won last season.

The German goalkeeper has also been an important performer for Barcelona since his arrival in 2014, winning five LaLiga titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2015.

In ter Stegen’s absence, Barcelona will rely on academy graduate Inaki Pena, who has been deputising for the German first-choice since his injury in November.