The meteoric rise of an inexperienced Barcelona star who is taking the season by storm | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado has been one of the standout players in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

His all-around contributions make him one of the most complete midfielders in this year’s tournament, and he enters the knockout stages as one of the top performers in several important metrics.

Casado’s defensive statistics are particularly impressive. He is the player who wins the most defensive duels in the tournament, regardless of position.

Out of the 76 defensive duels he has contested, he has successfully won 51, which is a win rate of 67.11%. No other player has faced as many defensive duels or won as many as Casado, making him an essential figure in Barcelona’s defensive efforts.

In terms of tackles, he is second in the entire competition, with 10 tackles, trailing only Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, who has 15.

Casado has been solid

Marc Casado has been extremely reliable for Barcelona. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

These defensive statistics highlight Casado’s ability to recover the ball for his team. His relentless pressing and quick decision-making put him among the top players for ball recoveries, especially in moments when he wins the ball back immediately after a turnover.

In fact, he ranks as the sixth midfielder in terms of quick recoveries, having regained possession 39 times in the 8 matches he has played.

While he has committed 13 fouls so far, only four midfielders in the competition have committed more, which reflects the high intensity of his playing style.

Casado’s passing technique

Casado has been excellent in his passing. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Despite his impressive defensive contributions, Casado is much more than just a stopper. He also stands out for his passing and ability to maintain possession in midfield.

He has completed 441 out of 480 attempted passes, showcasing his precision and consistency. Among midfielders, this places him in the top seven for pass completions in the competition.

What is even more remarkable is that he rarely loses possession of the ball. Of the 52 times he has lost the ball, only 15 have occurred in his own half of the pitch.

For comparison, Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul has lost possession 90 times in the tournament, underlining Casado’s efficiency in possession.

One of Casado’s strengths is his ability to make decisive passes into the final third. He has attempted 60 passes into attacking areas, successfully completing 49 of them.

This places him 14th in the tournament for this particular stat, which further highlights his role in linking defence to attack.

Top player despite limited exposure

Casado has shown despite limited experience. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Casado’s performances are even more remarkable considering his age and relative lack of experience at the top level of European football. Under Hansi Flick, he has truly established himself as a regular starter in Barcelona’s midfield.

At just 21 years old, Casado is already one of the most used midfielders in the competition among players in his age group.

With 611 minutes played across 8 matches, he ranks 11th for midfielders aged 21 or younger, a sign of his growing influence in the squad.

What makes Casado even more exciting is the fact that he is still developing. His ability to impact both ends of the pitch, coupled with his growing confidence in possession, suggests that he has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in Europe.

His work ethic, tactical awareness, and versatility make him an invaluable asset to Barcelona as they progress through the Champions League this season.