Barcelona has huge Champions League semi-final headaches due to UEFA rules.
Barcelona will be without star striker Robert Lewandowski for both legs of their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, but that is not the only dilemma facing manager Hansi Flick.
Barcelona must fire unlikely hero Wojciech Szczesny if they want Marc-Andre ter Stegen to compete in the Champions League, after Hansi Flick indicated that their club captain was'ready' to return. The news comes after Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski sustained an injury that will keep him out for around three weeks.
Ter Stegen, 32, has been out since September after critically injuring his knee in a match against Villarreal. The German goalkeeper suffered a full rupture of the patella tendon, prompting Barcelona to sign Szczesny as an emergency transfer.
Former Arsenal stopper Szczesny had announced his retirement just a few weeks before, but was persuaded to reconsider in Ter Stegen's absence. After waiting in the wings for academy product Inaki Pena, Szczesny took over as Flick's starter in January and stayed unbeaten in his first 22 games.
However, now that Ter Stegen is back in full training, quadruple-hunting Barcelona faces a problem when it comes to European fixtures. According to UEFA rules, in order for Ter Stegen to play in the Champions League, Szczesny must be deregistered from their roster.
"Once the injured or ill goalkeeper is fit to be played again, he can resume his position in place of his substitute," according to the rules. "The return of the original goalkeeper must be announced to the UEFA administration 24 hours before the next match in which the original goalkeeper is due to play."
The former Poland international has played an important role in their march to the semi-finals, where they will meet Inter Milan, making crucial saves in several games. Flick confirmed Ter Stegen's availability before of Tuesday's LaLiga match against Mallorca at home.
"He's ready, prepared," Barcelona's manager told reporters. "We will discuss what we need to do. We'll chat to him about when it's time to come back."
blogpay
Total Comments: 0