The Barcelona midfield is evolving under Hansi Flick, and in recent games, Frenkie de Jong‘s great displays have decreased Marc Casado‘s game time. The Spanish midfielder, who supposedly won a starting place for the first part of the season, has only played 84 minutes in the last five games. Let’s break down this dilemma.
De Jong is Flick’s New Favorite
Frenkie de Jong has claimed back his starting spot in style. The Dutchman’s outstanding presence in the midfield has improved Barcelona’s pressing, passing and build-up play. The 27-year-old has enjoyed an impressive 383 minutes on the pitch in previous five encounters.
Marc Casado, the regular starter at the pivot before Frenkie, has, however, struggled to get minutes. He has only played 84 minutes in the last five games, and this is a significant shift in the Barcelona midfield’s evolution. Has he lost his starting role?
Is Casado Losing His Edge?
Marc Casado has shined bright this season under Flick and stepped up nicely after Marc Bernal’s ACL injury. He displayed tactical brilliance and strength in his pivot role and has proven to be a game-changer in many big games this season.
However, a recent trend of being benched in three consecutive games shows that the 21-year-old might have lost his starting spot. When asked about this situation, Hansi Flick replied last night:
“He hasn’t done anything wrong. For now, that’s how things are”.
Some critics claim Casado is too slow to play the double pivot role, while others claim his mistakes, such as the error leading to a goal against Atletico Madrid, might be the case. Whatever the case, his transition from starter to benchwarmer has raised a few questions.
Hansi Flick has Everything in Control
Casado’s loss of the starting role is not as bad as it seems. The pivot role has always held grave importance in the Barcelona midfield, and the starting spot battle between de Jong and Casado will only promote healthy competition and improve bench strength.
Also, de Jong’s recent performances make the Dutchman worthy of starting first. He has connected brilliantly with Pedri in midfield and has been a real engine for Barca. One thing about de Jong, which I always say, is that the Dutch midfielder has to win over culers each season and has to repeat the process next season. This is quite sad; the midfielder deserves the respect of fans, and his importance in Barcelona’s recent games is highly evident.
Casado and de Jong have been important players for Barca so far this season, and their abilities will be pivotal in winning titles for the Blaugrana. Let’s hope both stay positive and deliver at crucial moments. Visca Barca!