The Barcelona goalkeeper was carried off on a stretcher in tears after injuring his right knee in the first half of Sunday's 5-1 win against Villarreal in La Liga. Ter Stegen landed awkwardly after claiming a corner, and players immediately called for medical help. He was taken to a hospital close to Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica for assessments.

The 32-year-old is now expected to be out for a considerable length of time. According to RAC1, per ESPN, he could be sidelined for eight months, which would end his season.

His injury marred an otherwise fine afternoon for Barcelona, who made it six wins from six in the league thanks to two goals each from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, along with Pablo Torre's strike.

"It doesn't look good for Marc," Flick said after the game. "We have to wait to know the full diagnosis of the injury, but it's true it does appear to be really serious. This injury makes us sad. I think the injury will be huge, but we have to wait for information."

Barcelona's injury list is mounting, with Ter Stegen joining Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo on the sidelines.

Inaki Pena has been in this position before, coming in for the injured Ter Stegen last season. He'll start between the stick when Barcelona host Getafe on Wednesday.