Barcelona homegrown star loses prominence in Flick’s plans after breakthrough last season | OneFootball

Marc Casado was one of the breakthrough stars for FC Barcelona last season, grabbing the opportunity that came his way under Hansi Flick with both hands.

Having been close to leaving the club at one point, the La Masia graduate became a mainstay in the team and ended the 2024/25 term with 2447 minutes across 36 games in all competitions, even chipping in with a goal and six assists.

This time, however, things are not looking that bright for the 22-year-old defensive midfielder.

Casado losing prominence

Indeed, as reported by SPORT, Casado has pretty much vanished from the picture in the ongoing campaign.

The La Masia product has accumulated 591 minutes so far this season across 13 matches, seven of them as a starter. However, of those matches, Casado only finished three on the pitch, and in two, he was taken off at half-time.

The midfielder, who has been included in all eighteen Barcelona squads this season, only missed one match through injury: the game against Celta Vigo, in which he was withdrawn from the lineup just before kickoff.

These numbers contrast sharply with last season. At this stage of the campaign, Casado had played 1305 minutes, 714 more than this year. Of the seventeen 17 he featured in, he started fifteen and was substituted in only four.

Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo being preferred ahead of him

Out of the picture. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Although the injuries to Gavi and Pedri, along with Marc Bernal’s gradual return, could have opened the door for him to partner with Frenkie de Jong, Flick has opted for different plans in recent matches.

Against Athletic, where the Dutchman was suspended, the German coach chose to line up Eric Garcia in midfield.

Casado did not play a single minute in the defeat against Chelsea on Tuesday night, with Flick again choosing to use Eric in that role.

Moreover, the manager even brought on Andreas Christensen in the second half to move Garcia back into the double pivot, while Casado remained on the bench at Stamford Bridge.

In addition, against Athletic and Celta, Flick used Dani Olmo in the role usually filled by Pedri, supporting Eric and De Jong, respectively.

Casado’s last start came on 5 November against Club Brugge in the Champions League, which ended in a 3-3 draw, with Flick criticising his midfield unit after the game.

As such, it is clear that Casado has lost prominence after his breakthrough last season. The midfielder, who is in negotiations with Barcelona to extend his contract until 2030, has fallen out of Flick’s plans.

Furthermore, the return of Pedri and Gavi will mean even more competition in his position, complicating his situation.