Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will miss the first round of the European Nations League next June, German coach Hansi Flick announced today. Flick explained on the German Football Association website that after an “extremely open and thorough discussion with the coach”, Ter Stegen, the replacement for Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), decided to take a real break before next season.
“Mark is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” said the former Bayern Munich coach. “However, due to injuries, he has not been able to take advantage of the summer breaks to recharge his energy over the past two years.” He added, “Given the upcoming Qatar World Cup (in November), we agreed that a normal break from playing and training is important and reasonable this year.”
The 30-year-old goalkeeper, for his part, said he was still “very happy” to be part of the national team. “But after three intense seasons without a summer break between them, I am happy that the national coach agrees with me that I need this rest and that he supports me in this process,” added Ter Stegen, who has participated in 28 international matches.
It is scheduled to meet Germany with the European champions Italy on the fourth of June in Bologna, before the matches of England in Munich and Hungary in Budapest on the seventh and eleventh of the same month. The return match against Italy is scheduled for June 14 in Mönchengladbach, with the other two matches against England and Hungary in September.
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