In the past two seasons, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has elevated his standing in the football world as Barcelona’s number one. Plaudits followed, but he’s still fighting to usurp Manuel Neuer as Germany’s starting goalkeeper.
Image: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/J. Breton
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Leading into Barcelona's Clasico clash with Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey at the end of last month, Marc-Andre ter Stegen had already proven himself an indispensable cog in the Catalan machine.
But he further endeared himself to teammates and fans alike with yet another imperious display between the sticks to deny a rampant Real Madrid.
Ter Stegen had made three superb saves before Barcelona took a 50th-minute lead, but it was his stop from Sergio Reguilon at 1-0 which signaled his increasing importance. The Real left-back's diving header looked destined for the net, only for an incredible flying save from ter Stegen to intervene.
It was typical of ter Stegen's exceptional campaign and stood out thanks to the opposition. Real Madrid were dominant in the cup fixture and ter Stegen once again came to the aid of a defense that has been less than reliable this season. He also shut Madrid out in the league game that followed.
Cat-like reflexes, Inspector Gadget-esque limbs, and an ability to enlarge his body like an enraged Cobra make the 26-year-old incredibly tough to beat. Following that Copa del Rey victory, ter Stegen had kept out 47 of the last 55 shots he had faced.
Statistically, the Germany international rates as one of the world's best shot-stoppers among Europe's elite clubs, making an average of 2.6 saves per game ahead of last week's Champions League clash with Lyon. Only Manchester United's David de Gea boasts a better record with three saves every 90 minutes.
"Messi with gloves” Spanish newspaper Marca labeled him last year.
"The best goalkeeper in the world,” said teammate Sergi Roberto.
"His touch is much better (than mine),” claimed Lionel Messi himself.
Yet ter Stegen is still struggling to convince Germany coach Joachim Löw that he deserves the number one jersey ahead of teammate Manuel Neuer. Löw said last year that Neuer would be his first choice until Euro 2020, but has since reopened the door for the understudy.
The players of Joachim Löw's 'new Germany'
Shortly after he axed three World Cup winners, Joachim Löw takes the next step in a project he calls 'new Germany'. Some of the key men have already made their mark but nearly half of the current squad weren't in Russia.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Simon
Leroy Sané (17 caps)
The most controversial omission from Löw's World Cup 2018 squad and the most internationally experienced player on this list, Sané still has plenty to prove. After a frustrating start to his Germany career, he scored his first two goals in November and started to look the part. A key member of a Manchester City squad in the hunt for four trophies, his direct running and pace make him a huge asset.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Probst
Serge Gnabry (5 caps)
The Bayern Munich right winger offers a similar threat to Sane on the other side of the pitch. An Olympic silver medal winner in 2016, Gnabry scored a hat-trick on his debut against San Marino later that year. But fitness issues and Löw's former faith in the old guard mean he hasn't yet fully established himself. A strong season so far for Bayern means that's liikely to change soon.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/GES/M. Gilliar
Kai Havertz (2 caps)
The third member of an attacking-midfield trident that looks set to line up behind TImo Werner for some time, teenager Havertz has made great strides at the age of 19. The Bayer Leverkusen playmaker has racked up 79 Bundesliga appearances and become a key man for the Werkself. Mesut Özil's international resignation opened a spot for the youngster who has impressed in his displays so far.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Simon
Jonathan Tah (4 caps)
Havertz's Leverkusen teammate was in Germany's Euro 2016 squad but missed out on Russia. His tally of caps since his debut three years ago speaks to his struggles to break into the side. But the culling of Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng offers a chance for center backs. At 23, Tah is enjoying one of his best seasons, particularly since the arrival of Peter Bosz. Can he become a regular?
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Thilo Kehrer (4 caps)
Another man looking to take advantage of defensive vacancies. Kehrer can play at center back but may end up as Germany's right back, with Löw keen on Joshua Kimmich in midfield. The 22-year-old left Schalke for Paris Saint-Germain and has become a regular in Thomas Tuchel's side. Quick and strong in the tackle and on the ball, Kehrer's concentration sometimes wanes but the potential is there.
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Maximilian Eggestein (0 caps)
A tidy central midfielder with an eye for goal, many thought the Werder Bremen man would make Germany's squad in November after both club and player enjoyed a strong start to the season. Though the early season goals have dried up a little, the 22-year-old has an importance to Bremen which belies his relatively tender years and will hope to make his international debut in the coming week.
Image: Imago/Jan Huebner
Niklas Stark (0 caps)
Another new face hoping to make his full Germany bow after progressing through the youth teams, Stark has enjoyed a strong season at Hertha Berlin. The Nuremberg academy graduate is a smart reader of the game and has become an increasingly influential figure at the capital city club since moving there in 2015. While most comfortable at center back, Stark can also play as a holding midfielder.
Image: picture-alliance/SvenSimon/F. Hoermann
Nico Schulz (4 caps)
One of a number of players given the chance to fill the troublesome left-sided defensive slot in recent years, Schulz is a solid performer for Hoffenheim. The Berlin-born 25-year-old is dangerous going forward and probably more of a natrual wingback, which gives him an advantage now that Löw is looking to play three at the back. Scored a deflected winner on his debut against Peru in September.
Another potential replacement for Jonas Hector, who seems to have fallen out of favor while in division 2with Cologne, the RB Leipzig left-back made his debut for Germany against England in 2017 but hasn't been seen in a Germany shirt since. At 27, he's a late bloomer, having failed to make the grade at Borussia Dortmund as a youngster, but his strong, direct style may suit Löw's new tactics.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Pförtner
Lukas Klostermann (0 caps)
Another member of the Germany team that won silver at the Rio Olympics (which did not count as interntional caps) Klostermann is a marauding fullback comfortable bombing forward. A second RB Leipzig man, the right-sided 22-year-old has been an integral part of the Bundesliga's tightest defense this season and is another potential beneficiary of Kimmich's move in to midfield.
Image: Reuters/F. Donasci
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"We are happy to have two world-class goalkeepers in Germany. I said last year that Neuer is the No.1, also because he is our captain," Löw said before his latest squad announcement.
"But this year we have a little restart and Marc will get his chances in the qualification for Euro 2020. Of course, there will be a battle.
As Bayern Munich crashed out of the Champions League last week, Neuer was clearly at fault for the first goal. Rushing off his line and allowing Sadio Mane to embarrass him. It was a mistake which the Neuer of circa 2001-06 would never have made, when he was on top of his game and arguably the world's best having revolutionised the position as a "sweeper keeper".
There is little doubt Neuer is an icon as a gloveman, but all greats must fall and ter Stegen has shown he's the better keeper now in an outstanding season with Barcelona. And it's clear that he's tired of waiting in the wings.
"I have absolute respect for what Manu has done for the national team,” he told online broadcaster Dazn recently..
"But I will do everything to ensure that there's also a change in the goalkeeper position."
With Germany playing Serbia in a friendly match on Wednesday, it would be a perfect opportunity for Löw to hand Ter Stegen his 22nd cap. Shine, and Ter Stegen may give Löw no other choice but to make another huge change to a Germany side in desperate need of revival.
