German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has been handed the captain’s armband at Barcelona. After the club legend Gerard Pique confirmed his retirement, the German goalkeeper became one of the four-man captain core alongside first captain Sergio Busquets and his deputies Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba.##NAJAVA_MECA_6916866##Ter Stegen has been a part of the Catalan club for more than eight years – and has been an integral part over the best period in the club’s history. He has gotten off to his season’s best-ever start, conceding just five goals in 14 league games. The man who Xavi once described as the ‘silent leader’ who everyone listens to when he has something to say didn’t play in any of Germany’s games at Qatar 2022, and as his team was knocked out in the group stage, he has been back at the club since December 15.🗣 Xavi: “Ter Stegen is now the 4th captain” © pic.twitter.com/BhFASRPZEb— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 30, 2022 New ‘fourth captain’ is one of the most experienced members of this FC Barcelona squad, having been at the club since 2014 when he joined Borussia Monchengladbach. The 30-year-old has made 346 appearances for the Catalan giants, securing 140 clean sheets along the way.The German international has been in fine form this season and is leading the race for the Zamora Trophy, following a solid run of performances in the first half of the season.LA LIGA – Matchday 15ThursdayGirona – Rayo Vallecano 2-2 (1-1)/Castellanos 34 pen, Saiz 75 pen – Camello 2, Palazon 62/Betis – Ath.Bilbao 0-0Atl.Madrid – Elche 2-0 (0-0)/Joao Felix 56, Morata 74/Friday19.00: (2.80) Getafe (2.90) Mallorca (3.00)21.15: (2.40) Cadiz (3.15) Almeria (3.40)21.15: (2.30) Celta (3.25) Sevilla (3.50)23.30: (6.75) Valladolid (4.40) Real Madrid (1.48)Saturday16.00: (1.28) Barcelona (6.00) Espanyol (9.50)18.15: (1.95) Sociedad (3.45) Osasuna (4.40)18.15: (2.00) Villareal (3.50) Valencia (4.10)***odds are subject to change
