The midfield of FC Barcelona is, without a doubt, the best-equipped sector of the current squad. With Hansi Flick's consolidation on the bench, the demands have increased and internal competitiveness has skyrocketed. The German coach wants an intense midfield, with players capable of adapting to different roles, and the club has provided him with a roster of top-level footballers.
That, however, brings with it an inevitable effect: not everyone will get enough minutes. Squad management will be one of the biggest challenges for Flick at the start of this season. Footballers like Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, or Dani Olmo are practically undisputed, while others like Fermín López or Gavi have shown they're capable of making a difference in any scenario.
That list must also include young players arriving with great momentum, such as Marc Bernal, who's already starting to regain prominence after his injury. The consequence is clear: there's a real "overbooking" in the midfield.
The main casualty
Within this context, one of the footballers who'll have the hardest time is Marc Casadó. In the last match against Mallorca, it became clear how he's been relegated in the rotation. Flick opted for a starting midfield with De Jong, Pedri, and Fermín López, and in the second half turned to Dani Olmo and Gavi as impact substitutes.
Marc Casadó, on the other hand, didn't get any minutes. This snapshot clearly shows what his role will be during the season: secondary, at least in the short term. The situation contrasts with what happened just a year ago, when Casadó was an important piece and surprised with his maturity and commitment, even playing in highly demanding matches.
Flick praised him publicly, valuing his intensity and competitive character. However, now that all the players are available, the hierarchy leaves him without a place in the starting eleven and with few chances to get minutes.
Uncertain future, but with opportunities
The Barça midfielder had offers this summer, even from Premier League clubs like Chelsea, but he decided to reject them all. He's convinced that he wants to succeed at Barça and has made it clear that his priority is to keep defending the blaugrana colors. That decision shows personality and confidence in his abilities, although it also forces him to accept a secondary role in a year of maximum competition.
Flick regrets it, because he recognizes Casadó as a valuable player for the squad. He knows that, at first, he'll play little or not at all, but also that the season is very long, with many matches, suspensions, and possible injuries that could open the door for him again. The German coach is sure that, when the time comes, the midfielder will respond as he did last season.