Barcelona keeper stretchered off in pain after suffering serious knee injury against villarreal

The constant issue of injuries at FC Barcelona remains a major hurdle for the Catalan club. Unfortunately, however, that issue continues to grow rather than calm down for La Blaugrana. Even right now, as they face Villarreal, this Barcelona squad looks like a shell of its best possible eleven.

The likes of Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez were recently victims of this injury spree, and other players have been rested as substitutes to allow them to get some additional rest. Regardless, this game is one that Barcelona have to win in order to maintain their lead in La Liga.

Yet, it simultaneously seems like Hansi Flick’s side simply cannot catch a break no matter what they try to do or who they try to rest. Near the half-time mark, in this ongoing game that Barcelona is currently winning 2-1 at the time of writing, the club has lost yet another key player to injury.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, a man who was heavily critiqued for the loss to Monaco in the UEFA Champions League, is now the latest name that is added to the injury list. The German goalkeeper fell down awkwardly while defending a corner and started screaming in pain as medical attention came his way.

Within a few minutes, it became clear that he would not be continuing in this match. A stretcher was brought in that took him away from the pitch and into the dressing room to provide immediate medical care to the player. In his stead, Barcelona second-choice goalkeeper Inaki Pena stepped in.

As of right now, there is no telling how severe this injury to Ter Stegen is or for how long it will keep him sidelined. Judging by the initial reaction of the player himself and his worried teammates, it could likely be a case where the Barcelona captain could end up being sidelined for a lengthy period of time.