Hansi Flick clarifies why he selects either Frenkie de Jong or Marc Casadó in Barcelona midfield | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are set to face Real Sociedad in the La Liga tomorrow in an important game. The Catalan club will benefit from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid having played ahead of them in this matchday and will know what exactly the equation is.

Things are very simple for Hansi Flick’s men – keep winning as many games as possible. As long as they continue winning their games, there isn’t much that Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid can do and that’s what the German coach will be telling his team too.

In recent weeks, the competition for places has become immense at Barcelona. With many injured players returning to top form, Hansi Flick is having to make difficult decisions and one such position on the pitch is the defensive midfield role.

The German coach has two major options to choose from – Marc Casado and Frenkie de Jong. The former has had a breakthrough season so far and performed beyond expectations but lost prominence in recent weeks.

Now, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, ahead of the game against Real Sociedad, Hansi Flick has shed light on his decision-making process regarding the selection of Frenkie de Jong or Marc Casadó in Barcelona’s midfield, emphasizing the tactical differences between the two players:

“It’s a tough question. Frenkie has improved a lot in the last month. Casadó is more defensive and more focused on defending. With Frenkie, we can have more possession and be more offensive. Casadó is a young player who can improve, but in his first season, he’s doing very well and can be proud of what he has achieved.”

Flick is clear on what he sees from the two players. He knows who offers him more defensively and who offers him more offensively and the German coach will have to pick and choose the games in which he uses each one of them.

Casado’s performances so far this season cannot be understated, but at the same time, it must be said that when Frenkie plays at his best, the quality that he adds on the ball is beneficial and something that the team needs.

It remains to be seen which way Flick goes on this selection going forward in this season. He needs to get this right for every match and only time will tell how it plays out.