Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen says he is better prepared to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Group F clash at the Camp Nou on Wednesday than when he played against them earlier in the season.
Ter Stegen and fellow summer signing Claudio Bravo are currently alternating in the Barca goal, with the Germany international playing in Champions League and Copa del Rey games, while Bravo is preferred in La Liga.
This rotation policy was questioned after September's Champions League group game against PSG in Paris, when a rusty looking ter Stegen was partly at fault for two of the goals as the Ligue 1 side won 3-2.
But the former Borussia Monchengladbach player told a news conference ahead of the return game that after having conceded just one goal in his four appearances since that clash, he now feels much more confident in the team.
"The situation now is totally different," ter Stegen said. "I believe my play is now better for the team, for me, and I believe I am getting better game by game. In the last games I have shown that all is going well and now we are better together. I have confidence in myself, which is vital to be a Barca keeper. I have learned that you always need patience here. Every day I am learning from very good players."
Ter Stegen said he and his teammates had not had any special preparation for dealing with PSG's strength at dead-ball situations, while he is confident Barca can get the win they need to top the group and be seeded in the last 16.
"We have not prepared for high balls any more than usual," he said. "We must win to be first in the group, and we know our quality. I know if we do all we can, we will win the game."
Despite the rivalry for selection, his relationship with Bravo and third-choice goalkeeper Jordi Masip is very good, Ter Stegen said.
"It is very important to have a keeper like Bravo in the team," he said. "I try and learn things everyday and I keep an eye on Claudio and on Jordi too. It is not my decision who plays in La Liga, the Champions League or the Copa. In any case, I just do the best possible in each training session and in each game to be able to get a chance in La Liga."
Ter Stegen's ability with the ball at his feet has been evident with him misplacing just four of 113 passes in his five Champions League games to date, and also his use of either his right or left foot to clear the ball as required.
"I began to play with both feet very early," he said. "So it is normal that I can play well with each of them. It is very important to be able to play with your feet, and deal with one-on-ones [with opposition attackers]."