Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has revealed why he didn’t celebrate Lionel Messi’s second goal against Man Utd.
Barcelona defeated Manchester United 4-0 on the aggregate score to reach the semifinals of the Champions League.
Lionel Messi scored a quickfire brace in the first half before Coutinho scored a stunning goal from outside the box to end the Manchester United hopes.
The Barcelona captain scored the first goal of the game in the 16th minute after Ashley Young’s disappointing sense of decision-making led to a give-away of possession.
However, the second goal was worse as De Gea failed to collect a relatively easy shot and the ball went between his hands. While Barcelona crowd humorously chanted about the Spanish goalkeeper after the mistake, Ter Stegen has now revealed that he didn’t celebrate the goal.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen on De Gea:
The Barcelona goalkeeper has shown solidarity with his fellow colleague, as he talked about De Gea’s mistake in the game.
He revealed that he didn’t celebrate the goal, adding that such mistakes could happen to anyone.
“Messi’s second goal? It cost me to celebrate,” Ter Stegen said.
“Because De Gea and I share the same job. I told him that nothing happens, that we are all human and that it can also happen to me.
“The truth is that it took me a while to celebrate that goal.”
De Gea made a fine save later in the game to deny Sergio Busquets, but couldn’t put the monkey off his back. Ter Stegen, meanwhile, pulled out a spectacular save in the closing minutes to keep a clean sheet, as Alexis Sanchez aimed to get a goal against his former club.
Manchester United faces an uphill task to secure Champions League qualification. The side faces competition from Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea for the top-4 battle.
How Twitter reacted..
🎙 [COPE] | Ter Stegen acknowleged that he couldn’t celebrate Messi’s second goal against United.
🔊 Ter Stegen: “I told him (De Gea) that we are all human and that this could have happened to me as well… The truth is that it took me a while to celebrate that goal”. pic.twitter.com/WMhIldfIQk
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) April 18, 2019
Ter Stegen didn’t celebrate Messi’s 2nd v United because he said it was a mistake that could happen to him tomorrow. When Camp Nou crowd was chanting/trolling De Gea after his mistake, he asked them to stop. And they went on to chant about Barça instead. Marc Andre Ter Stegen. ♥️
— Fiaz Hamzath (@fiaz_hamzath) April 18, 2019
🧤 An example of the respect goalkeepers have for one another. #GKunion
Marc-Andre ter Stegen didn’t celebrate Barcelona’s second goal (the one that De Gea erred on) because, per his own words, “it is a mistake that could happen to me.” Great show of sportsmanship! #UCL #FCBMUN https://t.co/H9liamGRUi
— Mouhamad Rachini | محمد الرشعيني (@ThatArabKeeper) April 18, 2019
What next?
Manchester United faces Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday. Barcelona, meanwhile, hosts Real Sociedad as they aim to secure a second consecutive league title as early as possible.
