Barça know the Ter Stegen Factor will be key once again versus Napoli

On the 8th August, FC Barcelona will welcome Napoli to the Camp Nou as they look to secure their place in the quarter finals of the Champions League. Aside from the tactical and fitness elements, the home side will also depend on the 'Ter Stegen Factor' as a safety net should something go wrong. The German international has been in sensational form, particularly in Europe, this season. 

EUROPEAN WALL

His performances in the Champions League have kept Barça in the competition. He was incredible against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Ter Stegen denied Reus one-on-one, made a fine double stop and then saved a penalty all within the opening hour.

In the second set of fixtures, he came up against a possible future teammate in Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine scored the opener but produced a magnificant save to deny him - and Inter - a second. Lautaro's header appeared destined for the back of the net but ter Stegen was equal to it. Barça would later go on to win the contest.

Ter Stegen was just as impressive away to Slavia Prague (Barça won 2-1). It certainly wasn't the best team performance that night despite going 1-0 up early on thanks to Lionel Messi. He made three goal-saving stops to keep his side in it as Slavia ramped up the pace. 

SIGNS OF A LEADER

It was on this night that ter Stegen demanded more from his teammates. "I believe we need to talk about a few things," he warned. His contract is up in 2022 and contract talks with Barça remain ongoing, despite no hint of an agreement being imminent.

It was a similar story in the 0-0 draw against Slavia at the Camp Nou. Once again, ter Stegen was called upon to spare the club's blushes with fine stops to keep the score level.

Ter Stegen has kept two clean sheets in his six Champions League matches this season, only conceding four goals. This is his record in Europe with Barça (Season · Matches Played · Goals Conceded · Clean Sheets):

• 2019/20 · 6 · 4 · 2
• 2018/19 · 11 · 9 · 6
• 2017/18 · 9 · 6 · 5
• 2016/17 · 9 · 12 · 4
• 2015/16 · 10 · 8 · 3
• 2014/15 · 13 · 11 · 6

In total, he's played 58 European matches with Barça, conceded 50 goals and kept 26 clean sheets. That will be the objective again versus Napoli.

TWO KEY SAVES IN San Paolo

Napoli already know all about ter Stegen and his game-defining ability. In the first leg, despite there being nothing he could do to stop Dries Mertens goal, he made two sensational saves to keep the scoreline favourable to his side. The first one was to deny an Insigne strike and later he thwarted Callejon in a one-on-one.

He's comfortable with the ball at the feet which helps Barça build from the back. Not only that but he's proven himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. 

And as he's matured, his personality and competitive nature have seen him rise to the challenge in the biggest matches. If Barça are to progress far in this competition, they'll need to rely on ter Stegen.