Real Betis’ goalkeeper, Rui Silva, has come to the defense of Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen after the German faced harsh criticism for his performance in Barcelona’s recent 2-1 defeat against AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League.
Ter Stegen’s mistake, an early misplaced pass to teammate Eric Garcia, led to Garcia’s sending-off, putting Barcelona at an immediate disadvantage. The match worsened as Ter Stegen conceded two goals that many expected an elite goalkeeper of his caliber to save. This performance led to a wave of fan backlash, with calls for the 32-year-old to be dropped from the starting lineup.
However, Silva offered his support, explaining that errors are part of the game, especially for goalkeepers. “When a goalkeeper makes a mistake, it’s always magnified, but we’re only human. It’s impossible to be perfect all the time,” Silva remarked, defending his colleague.
Silva went on to praise Ter Stegen’s qualities, describing him as “top-notch” and a goalkeeper who has consistently showcased his ability over many years. He expressed confidence that the Barcelona shot-stopper will rebound swiftly, noting that the mark of a true professional lies in their ability to overcome adversity. Silva also acknowledged Ter Stegen as one of his role models, alongside legends like Vitor Baía, Iker Casillas, and Gianluigi Buffon.
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Despite the recent criticism, Silva believes Ter Stegen will deliver a strong performance in Barcelona’s upcoming matches.
