Hansi Flick’s alternatives to the now-injured Marc Casado in the Barcelona first team – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are well aware of the fact that they have a challenging schedule up ahead. With each passing game, the Catalan giants are heading one step closer to their ultimate goal. However, Barcelona will need to continue performing at their best level to make it happen,

After their most recent victory in La Liga, a heroic comeback win over Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, Barcelona are currently in high spirits. For the Catalan giants, that win was about something much more than just the three points.

It offered the team huge momentum and a mental boost as well. From being 2-0 down to winning 2-4 away from home, especially against Diego Simeone’s men, is nothing short of a miraculous achievement. However, it did have consequences as well.

One major consequence was the injury to Marc Casado, with the young Spaniard having left the game with discomfort in his knee. Now, following medical test and reports, it has been assessed that his season could now very well be over.

Fortunately for Hansi Flick, there are some dependable alternatives within Barcelona. As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, the German coach has already made use of the other options this season and they have proven their quality and reliability as well.

Frenkie de Jong, by far, is the most obvious answer. In many ways, he is even ahead of Marc Casado when it comes to the regular starting eleven for Barcelona. He was even supposed to start against Atletico Madrid, but a stomach-related issue kept him sidelined.

During the game against Atletico Madrid, however, Flick decided to bring on Eric Garcia for Marc Casado. Despite not being a regular, this decision showcased that Flick definitely sees Garcia as a defensive midfield option and a possible alternative to Casado.

Similarly, Golden Boy Gavi has also been deployed in that role previously this season. Having him in the team also helps with that, and despite the fact that the youngster only returned midway through this season from a long-term injury, he has already accumulated 917 minutes across 26 appearances and continues to show his commitment.

Andreas Christensen is another option as well, but his season has been doomed with injuries so far. Barely getting any opportunities either way, the Dane has been severely unlucky when it comes to his physical fitness this campaign.

Ideally, however, Flick already knows who his two guarantees in the midfield are. Both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, the orchestrators and masterminds of this Barcelona team in the middle of the field, are the two players that the first team coach hopes to rely on for this crucial phase of the season ahead.