FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed to La Vanguardia that Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal will stay put, at least for the time being. Injuries and suspensions had pushed them into crucial roles, and Hansi Flick has been giving them minutes little by little. Casadó started against Real Oviedo, while Bernal came through when it mattered in the 4-1 win over Copenhagen.
“They form part of the formula that we believe works: a mixture of homegrown talent with players who bring great footballing
quality. That’s what works for us and it was clear against Copenhagen,” Laporta said.
Bernal is finally getting the game time he’s waited for. After a serious knee injury that kept him out an entire season, the Catalan midfielder is easing back into action. Flick is cautious, but Bernal has now played in three consecutive matches. Against Copenhagen, he came on in the second half after Eric Garcia took a knock. He impressed with 25 accurate passes and even tested the goalkeeper from distance.
“We have achieved our objective, and these opportunities help me in my recovery,” Bernal said. “My intention has always been to stay. This is my club and my life.” Flick was equally positive: “He had a fantastic game. He has potential to improve. He has great technique and knows how to control the match. Physically, he needs to get stronger.”
Casadó’s story has been more tangled, but the young midfielder wants to stay, recently saying, “My dream is to play for Barça, and I will keep fighting for it.”
He celebrated the UEFA Champions League finish and noted the relief of skipping extra playoff matches: “With such a busy schedule, saving two games is key to resting.”
But the tension with Flick persists in the back of everyone’s mind. Casadó has often been left behind in the rotation even when injuries opened doors. According to El Nacional, a €25 million offer came in for him, a tempting sum for the club. Still, for the moment he seems to be staying put. Accepting such an off would clash with the hope of keeping a homegrown player who could still be important. And the player himself has to weigh his options, as his development might stall if he stays on the fringes.
This window, the club also completed the arrival of João Cancelo on loan from Al Hilal and sent Marc-André ter Stegen to Girona. Laporta was clearly pleased with the team’s direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.
“Of all the teams in the top eight, the only one owned by its members is Barça,” he noted. When asked about Real Madrid missing out, he shrugged it off: “They will sort themselves out.” Skipping the playoff stage also eases the schedule and the budget, saving around 11 million euros.
