Barcelona star requests Xavi to start him vs Celta Vigo as he targets historic record | OneFootball

On Sunday night, when FC Barcelona beat Mallorca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made history as he became the goalkeeper with the most number of clean sheets in a single season in La Liga (26), joint-tied with former Deportivo La Coruna’s Paco Liano.

The 31-year-old German international is enjoying a dream campaign in goal for the Blaugrana and has been critical to their triumph in La Liga, having managed a mind-boggling 26 clean sheets from 37 matches.

Now, according to Javi Miguel of AS, Ter Stegen is not satisfied with that and wants to make the record his own outright. As such, he has requested Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez to start him in goal in the club’s last La Liga clash against Celta Vigo later this weekend.

The Barça No. 1 wishes to become the goalkeeper with the most number of clean sheets in a single season across the top five leagues of Europe by going past Liano’s record against Celta Vigo.

Talking about the record after the Mallorca clash, Ter Stegen had said:

“Now, the goal is to overcome it. Once you are there, you have to attack it. It is not my mission, but the whole team’s. I have to admit that now I am calmer, reaching this point and not equaling the record would have been very hard,”

It might not be as straightforward for the former Borussia Monchengladbach ace as the Blaugrana will be travelling to Galicia without some key players such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Pedri, Alejandro Balde, and Ronald Araujo.

At the same time, it must also be remembered that Celta Vigo are battling relegation and will be extra-motivated to grab all three points and secure survival.

As things stand, they are in the 17th position, one point clear of Real Valladolid in 18th. And Iago Aspas & co. will not make it easy for Ter Stegen to secure his 27th clean sheet of the season and make history.

But considering how he has performed this season, the Barcelona captain will be more than up for the challenge.