Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made a surprising decision against Atletico Madrid, clearly acknowledging a mistake in his approach and attempting to energise the team after conceding three goals in just over half an hour.
The coach substituted Marc Casado in the 35th minute, bringing on Robert Lewandowski and once again placing the midfielder in the spotlight. The academy product left the pitch visibly unhappy.
A pattern developing
As highlighted by SPORT, Casado was once again the one sacrificed, and it is not the first time. A pattern is beginning to emerge. He has paid the price in away matches and does not appear to convince the coach when circumstances turn against the team.
Instead, the La Masia product seems to be trusted by Flick only in home fixtures and when the situation is favourable.
This season, Casado has already experienced unusual situations. He was substituted at half-time away to Levante and Real Oviedo, two of the team’s poorest first halves of the campaign.
Against Levante, Barcelona went into the break 2-0 down, and Gavi replaced Casado. The match ended in a 2-3 comeback victory. Against Oviedo, Barcelona trailed 1-0 at half-time, and Frenkie de Jong came on for Casado in the 45th minute in a match that finished 1-3.
Casado was taken off in the first half. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
His appearances in the starting XI have been more irregular than last season and follow a similar pattern. He tends to play at home, often in more manageable fixtures, and in the Copa del Rey.
In fact, he had not started away from Camp Nou, aside from Copa del Rey matches, since the Champions League encounter against Club Brugge, which ended 3-3 in a chaotic contest.
Flick’s decision to start Casado against Atlético was unexpected. The German included him to add energy in midfield, anticipating intense pressure from the Madrid side. He ran and competed, but ended up fatigued, booked and singled out.
Uncertain future
Casado had begun the season amid uncertainty. It was no secret that the sporting department were open to listening to offers for a transfer. Ultimately, Flick decided he should remain, given the physical situation of Marc Bernal and Gavi.
The player and his entourage are aware of the movements that took place, but his determination has been clear from the outset: he does not wish to leave Barcelona.
What happens from now on remains to be seen. Barcelona will need to generate sales at the end of the season in order to reinforce their squad in the summer. Attention could once again turn towards Casado, particularly after what occurred at the Metropolitano.