Ter Stegen: “Starting with Germany was and still is my ambition”

BERLIN, March 19 (dpa/EP) –

FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has reaffirmed his intention to wrest ownership of the German soccer team from the injured Manuel Neuer, whom he will replace in the friendlies against Peru and Belgium on March 25 and 28, respectively.

“Achieving ownership with Germany was and continues to be my ambition. You don’t put yourself in the goal just to play friendly matches. Everyone has seen how I work on it for years,” said the Barcelona goalkeeper in statements published this Sunday by ‘Bild am Sonntag’.

The Barça goalkeeper acknowledged having experienced “difficult moments” in the German team, among which he highlighted his substitution in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he felt “frustrated”.

“My performance had been correct in the previous phase. I took advantage of my moment of form to show that I could be the number one in the tournament. Therefore, I had prepared myself to play in Russia,” he explained.

Ter Stegen ruled out, however, perceiving any disadvantage against Neuer due to his successful collaboration with coach Hansi Flick during his time on the Bayern Munich bench.

“He has some very clear values: the important thing is performance and that in the end the best team is on the pitch. I am happy for the support I receive from him and grateful for the prestige I now have in the national team,” he said.