Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick says he has moved on from Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s error in their Champions League defeat by Monaco on Thursday.
In the 10th minute of the game at the Stade Louis II, Ter Stegen played a poor pass forward straight to Monaco’s Takumi Minamino, with Eric Garcia then sent off for bringing down the former Liverpool forward. Ter Stegen later said the error was made because he and Garcia “didn’t understand each other”.
Maghnes Akliouche opened the scoring for Monaco shortly after Garcia’s red card before Lamine Yamal equalised in the 28th minute. George Ilenikhena scored Monaco’s winner in the 71st minute.
Ter Stegen made six saves during the match but attracted criticism for his costly early error.
“I think that’s one of his strong points, playing underneath,” Flick said on Saturday. “Not just making saves, but also playing with his feet.
“It’s a style of our game, we want to build and set up the game, not just with long balls. A lot of times the play starts from him.
“He has recognised that he made a mistake, we are human beings. The important thing is to learn from mistakes and I hope that for the next one they have clear instructions. For me, it’s water under the bridge.”
Ter Stegen and Flick previously worked together in the German national team set-up, when the latter was head coach of the men’s side (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Ter Stegen has made 417 appearances for Barcelona since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014. The 33-year-old became Barcelona’s de facto captain this summer with the departure of Sergi Roberto.
“I have spoken to him,” Flick said on Garcia. “He knows the situation we are in. He likes to be a centre-back, but we have to think about the team.
“Now he can be more important as a No 6 The red card is something that happens. I have seen him well, ready to play. Maybe he will play tomorrow (against Villarreal) as a centre-back or as a ‘6’.”
Flick added that injured midfielders Gavi and Frenkie de Jong could return during the next international break, which begins on Monday, October 7.
Barcelona are top of La Liga after five wins from their opening five games. Villarreal, meanwhile, are fourth after winning three times and drawing twice to start the season.
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(Top photo: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
