Marc Casadó’s journey at Barcelona this season has been a rollercoaster. Once a key figure in the first team during Frenkie De Jong’s absence, the young midfielder has seen his playing time drop dramatically, prompting him to adapt in order to stay relevant.
Casadó, 22, was a regular starter in the early stages of last season, featuring in 29 of 36 matches before a knee injury in March sidelined him. This year, he has appeared in 13 games across all competitions, starting nine, and has been used in a variety of positions, most recently as a right-back in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey opener against Guadalajara. “I have always tried to be ready for the team,” he said, showing a mature attitude toward the changes in his role.
The shift to right-back is not entirely new for Casadó. During the 2023-24 season with Barça Atlètic under Rafa Márquez, he occasionally played in the defensive role while still being deployed primarily as a midfielder. This versatility is now his key asset, as competition in the center of the park has intensified with the returns of De Jong, Marc Bernal, and the rise of Eric Garcia, who has proven himself capable both in defense and midfield. According to SPORT, Casadó’s willingness to embrace this reinvention demonstrates his commitment to convincing Hansi Flick that he belongs in the first team.
Still, Barcelona’s midfield remains stacked, and Flick has been cautious about trusting Casadó as a starter. In recent matches, even with absences like De Jong’s suspension and Pedri’s injury, Flick has often preferred other options. A growing lack of faith led to speculation last month about a potential loan in January, with Mallorca showing interest. However, Casadó is reportedly not convinced that Mallorca is the right destination, aiming instead for a loan that guarantees both playing time and a fit with his style and aspirations if he can’t find minutes with his parent club.
The match against Guadalajara highlighted the potential of this new role. Casadó completed 69 of 71 passes, won four duels, and made five recoveries, while also showing a clear offensive presence on the right flank. His performance suggested that adapting to a different position could open doors for more consistent minutes in the first team, particularly as Jules Koundé remains the undisputed starter at right-back and Eric Garcia continues to rotate.
