Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

Earlier in the month, Marc-Andre ter Stegen was finally handed his position as the first-choice goalkeeper for the German national team.

This came on the back of Manuel Neuer’s long-awaited retirement from international football. Neuer’s retirement cleared the path for ter Stegen to become Die Mannschaft’s numero uno – a role he had been seeking for well over a decade.

Strong start for ter Stegen

As fate would have it, ter Stegen marked his new role with a stellar performance.

In the UEFA Nations League match against Hungary, Germany triumphed with a resounding 5-0 victory, and Ter Stegen was crucial in maintaining a clean sheet, proving he is ready to fill the void left by Manuel Neuer’s retirement.

The Barcelona shot-stopper showcased his usual calm and composed style, confidently handling high balls and playing out from the back.

However, it was a critical one-on-one save that truly caught the eye of the German press. When the score was 4-0, Ter Stegen was called into action against Hungary’s lone striker.

In his signature style, he went low with one knee on the turf and stretched out his left hand, denying what seemed a certain goal.

Ter Stegen’s performance was described as ‘brilliant’ by the local media, who emphasized how he handled the limited threats posed by Hungary.

For Ter Stegen, who has been in Neuer’s shadow for nearly a decade, this moment was certainly a personal victory.

Not to mention, this performance against Hungary could go a long way in boosting his confidence as he returns to Barcelona next week.

The German international kept his first clean sheet in the 7-0 win over Real Valladolid and will be looking for another shutout as Barcelona take on Girona next weekend.