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WHAT HAPPENED?
Marc Casado’s performances haven’t surprised former Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez, but the Mexican has pointed out one key area of improvement despite his impactful displays for the Barca first team under new coach Hansi Flick. Casado is a product of the famed La Masia academy and played under Marquez when he played for Barca Atletic, the B team.
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Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Casado has been a surprising find for Barcelona and Flick. The 21-year-old had a strong pre-season but was behind fellow academy player Marc Bernal in the pecking order. An injury to Bernal, though, opened the doors for Casado to get regular playing time. The defensive midfielder’s maturity and composure on the ball has belied his lack of prior top-flight experience. Flick sees Casado as one of his key personnel, but Marquez believes the youngster can improve in one vital aspect of his game.
WHAT RAFA MARQUEZ SAID
“I am very happy for him. I have seen how he has gone through processes and I hope he maintains that level,” Marquez said on the programme Qué T’hi jugues on SER Catalunya, as quoted by AS.
“His attitude, his character and his desire to improve every day. He has a very competitive mentality. That’s what has given him the opportunity. Flick saw that and decided to keep him from the start, and we have to give him credit for that.
“He is very emotional, competitive, effusive… he would celebrate any game, anything he won, and that is where his character of wanting to succeed is evident.
“He has a lot of room for improvement. His enthusiasm leads him to lose his bearings. He wants to cover too much space and leaves his zone. He needs to be more positional and they are gradually understanding this.
”I think his level of confidence allows him to dare to do things we haven’t seen him do before. He never stops fighting. He is very competitive. When things go wrong, he is very positive. He is a total leader.”
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MARC CASADO?
Casado received his maiden call-up for the Spanish national team by Luis de la Fuente for this month’s international games in the Nations League. De La Fuente heaped praise on the Catalan midfielder ahead of handing him his potential debut: “It’s all thanks to his confidence, determination and ability. There are very good footballers who need that level of demand to shine,” the La Roja boss told the media.
“If he hadn’t been put in his club we wouldn’t have valued his ability so much. Great professionals and great people are the ones who show the most when faced with the greatest challenges. From now on he will be challenged and he is ready. He still has room for improvement.”
Casado will be hoping to feature in some capacity against Denmark and Spain in the coming days.
