Barcelona Midfielder Set for Quick Return After Minor Injury

There was a lot of confusion and last-minute changes leading up to Barcelona’s match against Celta Vigo on Saturday night. Just before kickoff, manager Hansi Flick was forced to make an unexpected change to his starting lineup.

When Marc Casado experienced thigh pain during the warm-up, Flick’s initial plans to start a midfield trio of Fermin Lopez, Frenkie de Jong, and Casado were derailed.

Sensing something wasn’t right, the 21-year-old midfielder alerted the medical staff and asked to be kept on the bench as a precaution. Dani Olmo was quickly called into the starting XI and filled in out of position, performing admirably despite the sudden change.

Encouraging update for Flick

According to a report from SPORT, medical tests conducted on Sunday have confirmed that Casado’s injury is a minor adductor issue and not a serious setback.

The youngster’s decision to pull out before kickoff has been praised by Flick and the club’s medical team, as playing through the discomfort could have easily turned the niggle into a more severe problem.

While Casado is still experiencing mild discomfort, the prognosis is positive. Barcelona will keep a close eye on his recuperation in the days ahead, but the international break provides a much-needed window for rest and recuperation.

There is growing optimism within the club that Casado will be available for Barça’s first match after the break, a crucial home fixture against Athletic Club at the newly reopened Spotify Camp Nou.

Midfield worries for the next fixture

Flick will already be without Frenkie de Jong, who is suspended, while Pedri remains a major doubt as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury. That makes Casado’s potential return all the more significant, with the young midfielder likely to play a key role in anchoring the team’s midfield.

For now, the concern inside the Barcelona camp has turned to relief — Casado’s quick thinking may have spared the team yet another injury headache in an already testing season.