Statistically, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is having his best season as a goalkeeper. The German international has conceded just seven goals in 20 La Liga appearances, and is well on his way to securing the Zamora trophy.
Barcelona have been in exceptional league form this season, and have already secured their first trophy of the campaign, having won the Spanish Super Cup in January, defeating bitter rivals Real Madrid in the final in Riyadh. The 30-year-old admitted that up until now, this season has been very good for the club.
“”This year, so far, the results have been good. We have to continue like this, in the same vein, because there is a lot left to play for and we want to close everything on our side. We have a small advantage, but there is a lot left.”
The 30-year-old heaped praise on head coach Xavi Hernandez, with whom Ter Stegen was teammates with at Barcelona during his first season at the club in 2014/15, which was the Spaniard’s final as a player in Catalonia. Ter Stegen credited Xavi with having made fundamental changes to the team’s mindset, which has led to their great season up until now.
“The work that Xavi is doing; he has made many changes in the mentality of the group, and this is helping us win games that are complicated.”
Ter Stegen will hope that Barcelona can keep their fantastic domestic form going when they travel to face Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday (kick off 21:00CET), before hosting Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie on Thursday.
