Barcelona star to be handed first start since September in Valladolid clash | OneFootball

Barcelona star Marc-André ter Stegen is set for a long-awaited return to starting duties in the club’s next outing.

As much was confirmed by boss Hansi Flick on Friday morning.

Barcelona are of course in the midst of final preparations for a return to action on the domestic front this weekend.

Fresh off a pulsating Champions League semi-final first-leg showdown with Italian champions Inter Milan, the Blaugrana will make the trip to the Estadio José Zorrilla on Saturday, for a La Liga meeting with basement dwellers Real Valladolid.

With the 2nd leg of their Inter tie to come just three days later, heavy rotations are expected in Barca’s XI for the clash.

And one such alteration, it has been confirmed, will come between the posts.

Marc-André ter Stegen has not taken to the pitch in a competitive setting since all the way back in September of last year, owing to a serious knee injury.

After ramping up his recovery efforts to the point of being called up for matchday duties last weekend, however, the German is set for a long-awaited return to the pitch against Valladolid.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Hansi Flick announced:

“Ter Stegen will be back in goal tomorrow.”

Conor Laird – GSFN