Good news for FC Barcelona. In addition to their recent victory over Girona, which allowed them to regain an advantage in the LaLiga title race, the club has received an unexpected boost: Marc-André ter Stegen has returned to training, and his comeback to competition seems closer than ever.

The return of Marc-André ter Stegen

The German goalkeeper, who suffered a knee injury in September during a match against Villarreal, has taken a crucial step in his recovery. On Monday, Ter Stegen participated in part of the training session led by Hansi Flick, where he was seen engaging in group drills and rondos with his teammates. However, he finished the session working individually under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.

Although he has resumed ball work and put his gloves back on, he has yet to train specifically with the team's other goalkeepers. Nevertheless, his progress is promising, and according to Mundo Deportivo, he could receive medical clearance before the end of April. With this in mind, Hansi Flick will have an important decision to make regarding who will be his starting goalkeeper for the final stretch of the season, with Wojciech Szczęsny as the other option.

Iñaki Peña facing an uncertain future

While Ter Stegen’s return brings stability to the team, the situation is quite different for Iñaki Peña. With the German rejoining the squad, the Spanish goalkeeper would drop to third in the pecking order, potentially pushing him to seek an exit in the upcoming transfer window.

According to Marca, the 26-year-old keeper is not in the best spirits, and his future at the club remains uncertain. Despite being the usual choice for Copa del Rey matches in previous seasons, this time he only played in the Round of 16 against Real Betis, when Szczęsny was suspended. Moreover, it seems unlikely that he will feature in the second leg of the semifinal against Atlético de Madrid, a decision that could further fuel his desire to leave in search of playing time elsewhere.

As Ter Stegen prepares to reclaim his place in Barcelona’s goal, the club must also manage the uncertainty surrounding its goalkeeping situation and resolve Iñaki Peña’s future, which seems increasingly distant from the team.