Ter Stegen wants forgiveness for his sins: "Now it's time to think about the future."

Sant Joan DespíThe new Barça is already on the move, but it's doing so on peripheral stages. While awaiting their return to the promised land of Camp Nou, the Blaugrana team is set to launch a new edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, this time against Como. A provisional stage after a few days in which work has been done almost more in the office than on the pitch. A Gamper without Iñigo Martínez, the great charmer who has broken countless hearts in Catalonia in two years, but with new faces, such as Joan Garcia, Rashford, and Roonie Bardghji.

One of the names of the day is Marc-André Ter Stegen, the captain who wants forgiveness after a few months in which his relationship with the club almost completely broke down. The German, who is out on leave, was in charge of welcoming everyone with his speech. After receiving some whistles when he was introduced, the goalkeeper ended up receiving applause after a conciliatory speech where he seemed to want to move on. "We all share the same excitement. We want to go back home. At Spotify Camp Nou, it's almost time and we'll be able to play many games there. Personally, I think it was important to resolve the issue between the club and me, and now it's time to look forward," he stated.

"We're all looking forward to a challenging season. We'll work hard," added the goalkeeper, destined to spend the next few months out of action. Ter Stegen welcomed Como's "old friends," referring to Cesc and Sergi Roberto, adding a few words of thanks to the players who have left the club this season. Conciliatory, the captain welcomed the new signings, one of them goalkeeper Joan Garcia, adding that "I will help them feel good" at home. After seeing the fans turn their backs on him, Ter Stegen changed his strategy. And Joan Laporta, satisfied, applauded with a laugh dripping from his throat.

Ter Stegen thanked Flick for his work, delivering a well-reasoned speech that ended with a "I love you, Barça" in Catalan. Hansi Flick, for his part, thanked him for "his support last year, when we shared some wonderful moments together. It was a special year. We have and want to continue this beautiful history. This season we will work hard and without excuses. We want to win many titles" in Spanish.

And all this in front of a Johan Cruyff Stadium that was not completely full. Some fans paid for VIP tickets, costing 500 euros, in a family-friendly day with some tourists, but also a large number of local fans who especially applauded Lamine Yamal, who proudly wore the number 10 on his back.