"WTF IS GOING ON", "We are cooked" - Barcelona fans in disbelief as star man included in XI to face Guadalajara in Copa Del Rey clash

Barcelona fans online were left disappointed with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen being included in the starting XI to face Guadalajara in the Copa Del Rey. This marks Ter Stegen's return to the lineup for the first time since his return from injury and subsequent surgery.

The Barcelona line-up features multiple new starters with regular players rested. Marc-Andre ter Stegen starts at the goal, while the usual first-choice keeper Joan Garcia was rested. The defence features academy player Jofre Torrents, alongside Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, and Marc Casado.

Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, and Marc Bernal form the midfield. Roony Bardghji and Lamine Yamal feature in the attack, with Marcus Rashford as the striker.

Fans took to X to react to Barcelona's starting XI, with multiple Culers disappointed with Marc-Andre ter Stegen's return to the lineup. Many expected second-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to start instead, per certain pre-match reports. One X user wrote:

"TER STEGEN!!!!!!!! WTF IS GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!😳😳😳😳😳😳😳"

Some other reactions were as follows:

Fans continued to share their thoughts on Ter Stegen's inclusion:

Ter Stegen has been out since the beginning of the season for undergoing back surgery. He missed 22 games this season, marking the clash against Guadalajara as his first start.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick claims Joan Garcia will remain their starting goalkeeper despite Ter Stegen's injury

In the pre-match press conference ahead of facing Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was asked to comment on supposed changes in the starting XI. Speaking about Ter Stegen's return and whether that could impact Joan Garcia's position in the team, he said (via GOAL):

"Marc is a fantastic goalkeeper and in goal, we have three excellent goalkeepers. We will see what happens. I have already said that Joan is the number one and from there we will see what happens. Tek played last season and we won three titles with him. This season when he was injured he gave us stability. Tek in the dressing room is also a very important player for us."

Further, Flick also addressed reports about Ter Stegen's future, as the German is reportedly looking for more regular starts ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Recent reports have also connected him to a potential move away from Barcelona in the January transfer window. He said:

"I think it is his decision. We have spoken about his situation and I respect Marc a lot because he is a great goalkeeper and, personally is a good person for the team. But in the end, it is his decision and it is he who must decide it, not me."

It remains to be seen whether Marc-Andre ter Stegen remains at Barca or looks for a move away from the club after 11 years.

Edited by Pratyasha Sarkar