Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti reacts to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffering serious injury
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reckons Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen is one of the game's best goalkeepers. The German suffered a likely season-ending injury in Barca's 5-1 La Liga win at Villarreal on Sunday (September 22).
Robert Lewandowski powered Hansi Flick's side to a two-goal lead inside 35 minutes before Ayoze Perez pulled one back for the hosts. However, Pablo Torres restored Barca's two-goal advantage 13 minutes into the second period before a late Raphinha brace proved to be the coup de grace.
However, the thumping win was tempered by club captain Ter Stegen injuring his right knee and leaving the field on a stretcher and in tears. As per AS, the German injured his patellar tendon and could be out for seven to eight months, effectively ruling him out for the season.
Madrid boss Ancelotti - whose team thumped Espanyol 4-1 at home to remain within four points of La Liga leaders Barca - said about Ter Stegen's injury (as per Madrid Xtra):
"I'm sorry Ter Stegen got injured. He's one of the best goalkeepers in the world."
Ter Stegen joins a long list of injury-enforced absentees at the Camp Nou - Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Andreas Christensen, FermÃn Lopez, Ronald Araujo, Dani Olmo and Marc Bernal.
How have Real Madrid and Barcelona fared this season?
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have enjoyed superb starts to the new season. While Los Blancos are unbeaten in eight games across competitions, Barca's only reverse came in their UEFA Champions League opener at AS Monaco in midweek.
Hansi Flick's side, though, are flying in La Liga, winning their opening six games to go four points clear of defending champions Real Madrid. Barca have scored a league-high 22 goals, while their five goals conceded are only dwarfed by Madrid's three.
Barcelona made an emphatic return to winning ways after going down 2-1 in the Principality. With their braces at Villarreal, Lewandowski and Raphinha are up to seven and six goals across competitions for the season respectively.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos opened their season with a 2-0 win at reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in midweek but stumbled in their La Liga title defence, drawing 1-1 at Mallorca.
Following a 3-0 home win over Real Betis, they were held to a 1-1 draw at Las Palmas but have now won their last four games across competitions, including a 3-1 home win over VfB Stuttgart in their UEFA Champions League title defence.