FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has been under heavy scrutiny since his disastrous performance against Monaco in the UEFA Champions League. While many Barcelona fans have been debating his form, the match has also sparked a wider discussion across Spain.
As Mundo Deportivo has reported, Rui Silva, who plays for La Liga club Real Betis, has given his output on the matter as he defended the Barcelona captain for his mistake. The Portuguese shot-stopper wanted some more sympathy for players in his position as he appeared in an interview with Diario AS:
“When a goalkeeper makes a mistake, it’s frustrating, but that’s always happened and will continue to happen. We have to understand that we are human. It’s impossible to be 100% infallible. Even goalkeepers who are fully focused make mistakes. I think it’s unfair that they come down hard on us, because when a forward makes a mistake, the same thing doesn’t happen.”
Silva went on to praise the German keeper for the quality he has been showing over the years and named him as one of the great goalkeepers he looks up to:
“Marc-André is top-class and has great adaptability… He’s been showing his quality for many years, I’m sure he’ll bounce back very soon, that’s what sets some apart from others. I’m certain that a goalkeeper of his level will give the best response in the next game he plays.”
“I have always looked up to goalkeepers like Vitor Baía, Iker Casillas, Buffon, and Rui Patricio. Ter Stegen is now my reference because he is a complete goalkeeper, and I would like to be like him and improve in all my aspects, both good and bad. It’s important to have a role model, and Marc is that for me.”
Silva’s words will definitely be received well by Ter Stegen, who is going through a difficult moment without any doubt. Hopefully, he will find the strength to get over this moment of adversity and prove his top-class qualities once again in the upcoming match against Villarreal.
