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Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is pictured after the 2022 UEFA Europa League quarter final soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Barcelona at Deutsche Bank Park. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will have to wait a little longer for his Barcelona comeback despite recovering from a long-term knee injury. Arne Dedert/dpa
Marc-Andre ter Stegen will return between the Barcelona posts after more than seven months when the La Liga leaders visit bottom club Real Valladolid on Saturday.
"Marc will play tomorrow," coach Hansi Flick told reporters on Friday, saying that Ter Stegen "has been training fantastically well for some time" and is back at a "good level".
German international Ter Stegen tore the patellar tendon in his right knee in a September 22 match against Villarreal. The 33-year-old required surgery, followed by a long rehabilitation process.
Ter Stegen's return could also be good news for the German team which has reached the Nations League Final Four tournament where they play Portugal in the semi-finals on June 4, and then the final or match for third place four days later.
Barca are coming off a thrilling 3-3 draw against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals.
They top La Liga four points ahead of Real Madrid who they face the following weekend. Flick insisted the focus must now be on Valladolid ahead of the return leg with Inter on Tuesday, and suggested he may rotate the team.
"LaLiga is most important now, it is the best possible recognition for being at the highest level throughout the season. That's why a win is vital, games like these decide the competition", he said.
Looking at teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who had another spectacular match against Inter, he said: "We are very happy with Lamine Yamal. But he has to work hard to stay at this level and keep improving.”
Flick won the treble with Bayern Munich in 2020, and can achieve the same with Barca. They won the Copa del Rey last weekend in the final against Real.
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