'Crack' numbers! Marc Casadó's master class against Girona

If there is a coach who has proven to be capable of working with a remarkable level of accuracy, that is Hansi Flick. This can be appreciated in several aspects, but undoubtedly, one of the most outstanding at present is how the German coach has managed to bring quality to the midfield area despite the difficulties that have arisen in that zone of the field.

First and foremost, it is important to highlight how the German coach has not complained since the beginning of the season due to the lack of a 'top' reinforcement for that position, but has strived to solve this problem using the prolific Barça academy. During the 2024/25 preseason, he gave opportunities to two young talents: Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó, who played as pivots with great regularity.

Finally, Marc Bernal earned the position as the starting midfielder for the Barça team. Now, just when it seemed that the need for a pivot was resolved, the Blaugrana squad suffered a harsh setback with the injury of the player from Berga (ruptured left knee cruciate ligament and also a meniscus injury), a serious physical setback that unfortunately will keep him away from the field for approximately 12 months. It was at this moment that a new question arose for Hansi Flick and his 'staff': and now, who will be the piece to use to strengthen the pivot? The answer lay in the other Marc, in this case, Casadó.

Marc Casadó had started in the first match of the season against Valencia CF (90 minutes), and after a couple of games without playing (Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano), he was entrusted with the important responsibility of being a starter once again in the heart of the midfield for the Barça team. He performed notably in the match against Real Valladolid (7-0), but it was in the extraordinary match against Girona (1-4) at Montilivi where he truly shone, possibly marking his best performance so far in his budding career as a player for FC Barcelona.

The numbers from Marc Casadó's outstanding performance against Girona

One of the most notable aspects of Marc Casadó's performance against Girona was the spectacular assist he provided to Pedri González for the goal he scored, putting the score at 1-4. It was an exceptional through pass that managed to beat three opponents and found the Tenerife-born player free after making a run into space, facing the goalkeeper like a striker and ultimately sending the ball into the back of the net. However, beyond this brilliant action from the Barcelona academy product, the player completed an outstanding match both in terms of sensations and statistics.

The midfielder operated primarily at the base of the game, being the deepest-lying pivot and allowing Pedri greater freedom to advance from midfield. He recorded around 56 touches on the ball, with a 92% successful pass rate (47 out of 51 attempts), contributing with a key pass and a created goal-scoring opportunity.

Furthermore, he won both ground duels and one of the two aerial duels he participated in. Defensively, he showed solidity by not being dribbled past by any opponent, making two successful tackles and committing just one foul. Marc Casadó emerged as a crucial player to maintain stability in the midfield of a Blaugrana team that sees him as a vital solution to the issue in the midfield position.