Joan Garcia of FC Barcelona
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Only a few hours remain before Marc-Andre ter Stegen returns to the Barcelona squad for a La Liga game, almost seven months after he sat on the bench at San Mames last season, in what was his last official match as an active player in domestic competition.
The German already made his comeback from back surgery earlier this week, after being included in the squad for the UEFA Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Now, the 33-year-old captain will be making his comeback for a La Liga game as Barcelona get set to take on Osasuna later this evening.
However, his sporting situation has not changed, injured or active, since Barça signed Joan Garcia this summer. Hansi Flick has made this very clear in his press conference.
“Joan is number one. That’s it. I’m not saying two or three. We have confidence in all three goalkeepers. We have no plans to replace Joan. He’s number one, and he’s doing very well,” Flick said ahead of the match against Osasuna.
Now, according to SPORT, beyond the sporting aspect, Ter Stegen’s return to La Liga will not have any administrative consequences.
This situation had still generated some doubts among Barça supporters, given what Ter Stegen’s return could mean for Joan Garcia’s registration, especially due to last season’s precedent involving Andreas Christensen and Dani Olmo.
A year ago, it should be recalled, Olmo only had his registration guaranteed until 31 December after Barça used the Danish defender’s long-term injury to register him for the first part of the season.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen of FC Barcelona
Ter Stegen is back. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
This time, however, La Liga sources have confirmed that there is no conflict regarding Garcia’s registration. It has been guaranteed from the first day that he would be registered until the end of the current season, regardless of the German goalkeeper’s return to action.
The Spanish goalkeeper’s registration until the end of the season was never at risk, provided that La Liga’s medical commission, as indeed happened, confirmed more than four months of injury for the German.
It was not necessary to reach five months out to generate additional salary cap relief for the club.
The ‘Olmo case’ will not be repeated
Last season, the salary margin created by Christensen’s absence was not sufficient to cover Olmo’s full-season salary. His registration was left in limbo when La Liga initially rejected Barça’s attempt to increase their salary limit through the use of VIP boxes.
It should be remembered that it was ultimately the Higher Sports Council (CSD) that confirmed Olmo’s registration until the end of the season, along with that of Pau Victor.
In Garcia’s case, the league body confirmed his registration for the entire season. This is because this year the salary portion freed up by Ter Stegen’s absence was sufficient, without the need to re-register the summer arrival again from 1 January.
Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona player
Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona player