Blow for Barcelona! Marc-Andre ter Stegen facing back surgery which would rule goalkeeper out for two months

Due to the injury, the 31-year-old withdrew from the Germany team for last month's international break and hasn't played since November 12. Surgery is not a guarantee that the issue will be resolved, therefore the player and the club are still weighing their alternatives as per The Athletic. Ter Stegen would probably have to wait two months after surgery to recover, so he would have to work quickly to be ready for the Champions League semi-final tie in February.

"He’s tested himself again, but he’s still in pain," Xavi said of Ter Stegen ahead of Sunday’s victory over Atletico Madrid [via The Athletic]. "We’ll see next week. His back injury doesn’t let him play as he should. Marc is so involved with the group that he suffers when he can’t play and help out, but it is what it is right now."

Ter Stegen had put himself to the test before each of Barcelona's previous three games, but his discomfort prevented him from playing. Inaki Pena has deputised for the German and impressed a lot against Porto in the Champions League and especially against Atletico Madrid on the weekend.

In the meantime, the 31-year-old will take it easy and prepare for Sunday's trip to Girona, which are in second position on the La Liga standings, but he will stay out if the injury persists.