Barcelona fans want heavyweight captain out of the team

Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen found himself at the centre of attention last night as Barcelona suffered a 1-2 defeat against AS Monaco.

The match saw Ter Stegen make a crucial error early on, resulting in Barcelona being reduced to 10 men just 10 minutes into the game.

The German goalkeeper tried to maintain composure under pressure, but his risky decision-making backfired. With the match still goalless, he faced mounting pressure with the ball at his feet.

Rather than opting for a safer clearance, the German international attempted a risky pass up the middle. Unfortunately, it was intercepted by Monaco’s Takumi Minamino, leaving Barcelona’s defence exposed.

Eric Garcia, in an effort to recover, fouled Minamino from behind at the edge of the penalty area, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Referee Allard Lindhout had no hesitation, showing him a straight red card, forcing Barcelona to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Just six minutes later, Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche took advantage of the situation, scoring a well-executed solo goal to give his team the lead.

Barcelona fans have raised their voice

Despite Ter Stegen’s long-standing status as an irreplaceable figure in the Barcelona squad, this match highlighted a few of his ongoing struggles.

His difficulties with handling high-risk plays, particularly with Barcelona’s advanced defensive line under Hansi Flick, have come under scrutiny.

In Monaco, his decision-making faltered once again, notably when he misjudged Ilenikhena’s shot that led to the second goal.

The performance has sparked discontent among Barcelona fans. As noted in a recent survey conducted by Barça Universal, a significant number of supporters are now calling for Ter Stegen to be replaced. One fan commented,

“This is an obvious yes, I don’t understand what the board has been waiting for! He’s been consistently bad in big games and we’ve all known this.”

Another added, “Yes, been saying it from time. Barca will never win a serious trophy as long as he’s here.” These sentiments are becoming more widespread, as frustration grows over his performances in crucial games.

“This shouldn’t be a question, it is a must,” another one commented. “Sack him out of the club now,” wrote one fan

The pressure on Ter Stegen is undeniably mounting, with many now questioning whether Barcelona needs to start considering a long-term replacement for their once untouchable captain.