Thibaut Courtois offers support to injured rival Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

Serious injuries can break down rivalry barriers in elite football as shown by Thibaut Courtois’ support for Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Barcelona extended their 100% winning record to six La Liga games in 2024/25, via a ruthless 5-1 victory in Castellon, but the post game focus was all on Ter Stegen.

La Blaugrana’s captain was stretchered off in agony at the Estadio de la Ceramica, just before half time, with what appears to be a serious knee injury.

The coming days will determine the extent of the injury, and how long Ter Stegen is out for, but the signs do not look positive.

Despite their huge rivalry on either side of the El Clasico divide, Courtois and Ter Stegen have also driven each other on, as two of the best goal keepers in world football.

Courtois himself suffered a serious knee in 2023, which sidelined him for nine months, and he offered his backing to Ter Stegen, ahead of a gruelling road to recovery.

“I’m sorry about the injury Ter Stegen, it really hurt to see you leave the field like that. I hope you can recover soon and we can see you in goal again.”

Robert Lewandowski ends the weekend back on top of the La Liga scoring charts with six league goals in 2024/25.

The Polish veteran has scored in four of Barcelona’s six league games so far this season with starts in each of them.

Despite being the elder statesman in the La Blaugrana attack, his ruthlessness in front of goal remains as sharp as ever, and he netted twice in the 5-1 weekend win at Villarreal.

Game load management will be crucial for the 36-year-old in the coming months but he has already outlined his determination to score over 20 league goals once again.

All six goals have come inside the box, with Lewandowski’s preseason demands for more crosses into the penalty area met, and he is confident there is more to come.

“This season we look for more passes or crosses into the box, and as a striker, that’s my area, I can do many things”, as per quotes from Marca.

As the schedule steps up in the coming weeks, across La Liga and UEFA Champions League action, Lewandowski looks set for a rest at some point, as Getafe head to Catalonia on September 25.

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