FC Barcelona’s star goalkeeper will miss today’s Copa del Rey Final against Valencia due to a slow recovery from a lingering injury.
The German keeper has been sidelined with a knee injury since earlier this month, and his recovery hasn’t taken place quickly enough for Barcelona to let him play in the club’s final match of the season.
Ter Stegen suffered the knee injury during practice last week, and he was unable to travel to Eibar for Barça’s final La Liga match of the season.
The 27-year-old keeper is considered one of the biggest keys to Barcelona’s recent success, including two straight La Liga titles and four straight Copa del Rey triumphs.
Ter Stegen recorded 23 clean sheets in 49 total matches this season, allowing an average of only 0.86 goals per match played.
The Blaugrana will have to turn to backup keeper Jasper Cillessen in the Copa del Rey Final, which will be played at Benito Villamarín Stadium in Sevilla on Saturday night.
This game is expected to be Cillssen’s last before he leaves for Benfica during this summer’s transfer window. The 30-year-old Dutch international has appeared in only 10 games with Barça this season.
