The meteoric rise of an inexperienced Barcelona star who’s taking the season by storm

The meteoric rise of an inexperienced Barcelona star who’s taking the season by storm

Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado has been one of many standout gamers within the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. 

His all-around contributions make him probably the most full midfielders on this yr’s match, and he enters the knockout phases as one of many prime performers in a number of necessary metrics.

Casado’s defensive statistics are significantly spectacular. He’s the participant who wins probably the most defensive duels within the match, no matter place. 

Out of the 76 defensive duels he has contested, he has efficiently gained 51, which is a win price of 67.11%. No different participant has confronted as many defensive duels or gained as many as Casado, making him an important determine in Barcelona’s defensive efforts. 

When it comes to tackles, he’s second in the whole competitors, with 10 tackles, trailing solely Jude Bellingham of Actual Madrid, who has 15.

Casado has been stable

Marc Casado has been extraordinarily dependable for Barcelona. (Picture by Lars Baron/Getty Photographs)

These defensive statistics spotlight Casado’s skill to get better the ball for his staff. His relentless urgent and fast decision-making put him among the many prime gamers for ball recoveries, particularly in moments when he wins the ball again instantly after a turnover. 

In truth, he ranks because the sixth midfielder by way of fast recoveries, having regained possession 39 instances within the 8 matches he has performed. 

Whereas he has dedicated 13 fouls up to now, solely 4 midfielders within the competitors have dedicated extra, which displays the excessive depth of his enjoying type.

Casado’s passing approach

Casado has been wonderful in his passing. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)

Regardless of his spectacular defensive contributions, Casado is rather more than only a stopper. He additionally stands out for his passing and talent to keep up possession in midfield. 

He has accomplished 441 out of 480 tried passes, showcasing his precision and consistency. Amongst midfielders, this locations him within the prime seven for cross completions within the competitors. 

What’s much more outstanding is that he not often loses possession of the ball. Of the 52 instances he has misplaced the ball, solely 15 have occurred in his personal half of the pitch. 

For comparability, Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul has misplaced possession 90 instances within the match, underlining Casado’s effectivity in possession.

One among Casado’s strengths is his skill to make decisive passes into the ultimate third. He has tried 60 passes into attacking areas, efficiently finishing 49 of them

This locations him 14th within the match for this explicit stat, which additional highlights his position in linking defence to assault. 

High participant regardless of restricted publicity

Casado has proven regardless of restricted expertise. (Picture by Eric Alonso/Getty Photographs)

Casado’s performances are much more outstanding contemplating his age and relative lack of expertise on the prime degree of European soccer. Underneath Hansi Flick, he has really established himself as a daily starter in Barcelona’s midfield. 

At simply 21 years previous, Casado is already probably the most used midfielders within the competitors amongst gamers in his age group. 

With 611 minutes performed throughout 8 matches, he ranks eleventh for midfielders aged 21 or youthful, an indication of his rising affect within the squad.

What makes Casado much more thrilling is the truth that he’s nonetheless creating. His skill to affect each ends of the pitch, coupled along with his rising confidence in possession, means that he has the potential to turn out to be top-of-the-line midfielders in Europe. 

His work ethic, tactical consciousness, and flexibility make him a useful asset to Barcelona as they progress by way of the Champions League this season.