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Ter Stegen’s 21 Clean Sheets in All Competitions the Highest Across Europe’s Major Leagues

Nellius Mukuhi
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Nellius Mukuhi
3 mins
August 21st, 2023
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Ter Stegen’s 21 Clean Sheets in All Competitions the Highest Across Europe’s Major Leagues

Alex Ferguson's famous quote, "Attack wins you games, defense wins you titles," certainly rings true with this season's FC Barcelona. The Catalan giants have set the bar defensively, conceding only seven goals, the lowest total in La Liga. One man who has helped in achieving that feat is goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who has been imperious between the sticks.

Ter Stegen's impressive performances have seen him make headlines across Europe lately. Per a Sportingpost.com report, the German custodian has racked up an impressive 21 clean sheets in all competitions this season. Consequently, the shot-stopper has gone more matches without conceding than any other goalkeeper across Europe's major leagues.

Ter Stegen’s Season in Numbers

Sportingpost's CEO Freddie Smith argues that Ter Stegen's achievement is even more impressive when considering his competition. He explains, "Europe's major leagues are home to some of the best goalkeepers in the world, including Alisson Becker, Jan Oblak, and Manuel Neuer. To have kept more clean sheets than any of them is a remarkable achievement that's a testament to his consistency."

Smith adds that keeping clean sheets is not easy as it requires much work and dedication. He points to the Balugrana's number 1 peerless La Liga stats. The German international has recorded 19 clean sheets out of the 25 league matches he has played. That puts him in the 98th percentile with a 76% score on clean sheets.

Moreover, he has saved 51 out of the 59 shots he faced giving him an 86% save percentage. That saving rate has him topping the charts in the 96th percentile. Additionally, he has let in only 7 goals in 25 La Liga matches, which works out to 0.28 goals conceded per game, putting him in the 95th percentile.

What’s Behind Ter Stegen’s Record-Setting Performance?

One key factor that sets Ter Stegen apart from other goalkeepers is his incredible shot-stopping ability. His reflexes are second to none enabling him to make saves that seem impossible to pull off. His positioning is also excellent, allowing him to make crucial saves without diving at full stretch.

Another factor that contributes to Ter Stegen's success is his ability to command his area. He is not afraid to come off his line and claim crosses or corners, which takes the pressure off his defenders and helps to prevent goals from set pieces. His top-notch distribution allows him to start counter-attacks quickly and efficiently.

However, it is not just Ter Stegen's ability that has led to his success. Barcelona's defensive system under Xavi Hernandez has also played a significant role. The team is more compact and organized defensively, which has made it harder for opponents to create chances against them. Ter Stegen has benefited from this, as he has faced fewer shots on goal than in previous seasons.

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