"Marc has some discomfort in his back and we'll see how he is. Whatever we have to announce we will say", these were Xavi's words after the game against Atletico Madrid on the weekend, which set off alarm bells.

The goalkeeper's recovery is not going as expected and that is why surgery has not been ruled out. But nothing has been decided yet, nor is there a concrete date for a decision to be made. Although it won't take long either.

Ter Stegen returned from the training camp with the German national team on 17 November with a lower back injury. Since then, he has undergone conservative treatment, but he has not been progressing at the expected rate and although he has tried to join the squad, the pain in his back has prevented him from doing so.

For days now, the coaching staff, the goalkeeper and the medical services have been studying different solutions and options for him to overcome his ailment. But nothing has been agreed yet. It has not been ruled out that he will undergo surgery. Nor is it ruled out that he will continue with conservative treatment.

Inaki Pena

The German goalkeeper, Zamora winner last season, has already missed three games: he was absent in LaLiga against Rayo and Atletico and in the Champions League against Porto. The goalkeeper, one of the captains of the squad, is an important man for Xavi, but during his absence, Inaki Pena is showing an excellent performance. The Alicante native's great contributions are ensuring that there is no rushing of Ter Stegen's recovery.