Barcelona missed a chance to climb to the top of the La Liga table with a shock 4-3 defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday. With Celta Vigo in the bottom half of the table, a Barcelona squad without the injured Lionel Messi was still expected to emerge with three points in Galicia.
However, notable mistakes from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ted Stegen, defender Jeremy Mathieu and midfielder Sergio Busquets essentially handed the victory to the home side.
Ter Stegen and Busquets pitifully ‘combined’ to allow Celta Vigo to score their first in the 22nd minute. It's a sloppy pass from Ter Stegen, but Busquets does his keeper no favors with his effort.
WHAT WAS @mterstegen1 DOING ON THIS? Goal @rccelta_oficial #beINLaLiga https://t.co/xiOeJ6kQV0
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 2, 2016
Only ten minutes later, Barcelona were down 3-0. A second half fightback cut the deficit to 3-2, but Barca’s work was ultimately undone by a howler from Ter Stegen. With Pablo Hernandez closing him down, Barca’s No. 1 contrived to kick the ball straight at him, resulting in a rebound that nestled into the net.
You had one job, @mterstegen1! ONE. JOB. #beINLaLiga https://t.co/WsxMeodsZu
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 2, 2016
As you can imagine, supporters of the Blaugrana were none too pleased with the German.
Who's the better goalkeeper?
RT for Big Fat Dave
Like for Ter Stegen pic.twitter.com/pl4HdPZqMi— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) October 2, 2016
"I'm sorry if I make you nervous" said Ter Stegen the other day.
Making them nervous is one thing....making them lose, another— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) October 2, 2016
Ter Stegen Mathiue Busquets cost us 1st place in #LaLiga
— Goal Digger (@FCBGoalDigger) October 2, 2016
Ter Stegen needs to stop watching Claudio Bravo videos on YouTube
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 2, 2016
To his credit, Ter Stegen was open about the mistakes that cost his side. "The game was difficult, as everyone knew it would be. In the second half we did what Barcelona have to do, but if I hadn't made the mistake we could have won this game. I'm sorry for the team, who fought really hard," said Ter Stegen.
Gerard Pique gave his keeper a vote of confidence after the match by saying: "For the goal, should he have taken less of a risk? Yes. But the way he plays gives us so much and often [those risks] are good for us. He should continue."
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