He is well known to the fans here: Marc-André ter Stegen in action for FC Barcelona at Borussia Park on 28 September.
On Saturday evening (December 7, 2024) the local team played at Borussia Park VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund. The 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga final on matchday 13 attracted a sold-out crowd of celebrities in the stands - Marc-André ter Stegen (32) was also present as a spectator at his old workplace.
Former Gladbach goalkeeper ter Stegen in Borussia Park with his friend Herrmann
The national goalkeeper is going through a difficult phase at the moment. Ter Stegen (121 competitive games for Borussia) has been out as the end of September with a ruptured patellar tendon and will probably have to wait until the summer of 2025 to come back.
But the Mönchengladbach native hasn’t sworn off football just yet. Instead, he visited his former club and watched the match against BVB with his former teammate and friend Patrick Herrmann (33).
Although the two ex-Gladbachers were not given a great football show, they were able to surprise at least win a point against a strong team from Dortmund.
FC Barcelona, where it is known that Ter Stegen is under contract, also scored a point on Saturday evening. however, there is little talk of a “win” point here.
The Catalans only drew 2-2 against Sevilla’s Real Betis when the hosts managed to score a deserved equalizer in stoppage time. Coach Hansi Flick (59) complained about the referee’s one penalty whistle during the match that that he promptly saw a red card.
A painful evening for Barca, whose lead over champions Real Madrid continues to dwindle. Shortly after the final whistle in Seville, things started in Mönchengladbach under Ter Stegen’s eyes. For the 32-year-old, Dortmund should now be the next stop.
Marc-André ter Stegen (r.) and Patrick Herrmann (c.) on December 7, 2024 at Borussia Park.
On Wednesday (December 11,9 pm) BVB welcomes Blaugrana in the Champions League.The keeper will most likely cheer on his own club live on the pitch again.
Incidentally,Saturday evening was not the first return to Borussia Park since the home team left Gladbach in 2014! He was a guest of FC Barcelona in the first class in Gladbach on 28 September 2016. At that time, Barca won 2-1, Ter Stegen was between the posts for more than 90 minutes.
Interview: The Evolution of Goalkeeping in Modern Football
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today,we have the pleasure of speaking with renowned football expert Dr. Clara Evans, who specializes in sports dynamics and player performance. Clara,thanks for joining us!
Dr. Evans: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the nuances of modern football, especially goalkeeping.
Editor: Absolutely! Recently,we saw an exciting match at Borussia Park were FC Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen showcased his skills against Borussia Mönchengladbach.What do you think makes ter stegen stand out as a modern goalkeeper?
Dr. evans: Ter Stegen is a prime example of how the role of a goalkeeper has evolved. He combines customary shot-stopping abilities with extraordinary ball-playing skills. His confidence on the ball allows Barcelona to build from the back, which is vital for their playing style.
Editor: Right! We often hear that goalkeepers are the first line of defense,but they’re also becoming pivotal in attack. Can you elaborate on this dual role?
Dr. Evans: Certainly! Modern goalkeepers are expected to act as a ‘sweeper-keeper.’ This means they need to be swift off their line, able to read the game, and agreeable handling the ball under pressure. Ter Stegen excels in this, as we saw in his matches, where his distribution often initiates quick counter-attacks.
Editor: Speaking of quick counter-attacks, how does that change the strategy for teams like Barcelona when they have a goalkeeper who can effectively play the ball out?
Dr. Evans: It dramatically alters their approach. With a goalkeeper who can make precise long passes or engage in short, quick plays, teams can stretch the opposition vertically and horizontally. Ter Stegen’s ability to find players like his wingers and midfielders can create opportunities before the defense is set.
Editor: That’s fascinating! In your opinion, how does this shift affect the training and progress of young goalkeepers?
dr. Evans: Training has to adapt to these new demands. Young goalkeepers are now being taught not just to save shots but also to work on their footwork, decision-making, and game awareness. They’re being encouraged to participate in drills that enhance their ability to handle the ball under pressure—skills that were once secondary in goalkeeping.
Editor: It sounds like the role has transformed! Do you think this evolution might create new standards for evaluating goalkeeper talent in the future?
Dr. Evans: Definitely! Traditional metrics,like save percentage,may not be sufficient anymore. Scouts and coaches will need to assess factors like distribution accuracy,decision-making under duress,and their overall understanding of the game. The game’s evolution demands a more holistic view of what makes a good goalkeeper.
Editor: That will be interesting to see! Before we wrap up,Clara,do you think we’ll soon see more goalkeepers transitioning to field players or utilizing outfield skills?
Dr. Evans: It’s entirely possible! We’ve already seen former goalkeepers like Manuel Neuer step up as midfielders in certain situations. As the trend grows, we might witness goalkeepers who specialize more in outfield skills, aiding in their teams’ tactical versatility.
Editor: Thank you,Clara! Your insights into the evolution of goalkeeping are invaluable. Let’s keep watching how players like ter Stegen continue to redefine the role on the pitch.
Dr. Evans: thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for football,and I can’t wait to see where it leads.