It is typically in times of need that FC Barcelona turns towards the aid provided by its youngsters from the subsidiary or the academy. Whether it be injury or lack of depth as it is, the young pearls of the youth ranks of FC Barcelona often manage to surprise even the most seasoned of veterans.
Just as Pedri and Gavi were once brought on to the scene of the Barcelona first team, more and more youngsters even today manage to get the same opportunities under Xavi Hernandez, such as those given to midfielder Fermin Lopez or 16-year-old forward Lamine Yamal.
Consequently, since FC Barcelona are headed to the Estadio De La Ceramica to face off against Villarreal without some of their most integral first-team players due to suspension or injury, including Pedri, it is possible that Xavi enlists the help of some subsidiary talents.
Xavi has announced the squad list for the game against Villarreal and chief among these subsidiary players to travel with the squad is 19-year-old midfielder Marc Casado, who has remained in the dynamics of the first team more so than the subsidiary in recent times.
The midfielder has impressed Xavi Hernandez in the past and has already made his first team debut as well in November of last year, when he featured for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League clash against Viktoria Plzen and played for 23 minutes in the game as a substitute.
Alongside the 19-year-old, Lamine Yamal, Ander Astralaga Pau Cubarsi, Diego Kochen, and Fermin Lopez will also travel with the first team for the game against Villarreal.
However, it must be kept in mind that Pedri’s absence will most likely be compensated for by some of the more seasoned stars within the team and the likelihood of Casado managing to have minutes against Villarreal does look slim.
The official season for Barcelona Atletic has also kicked off, but it appears that Xavi Hernandez for now wishes to keep Casado within the dynamics of the first team. In this regard, SPORT reports that the first-team experience and the minutes, however marginal, are believed by the coach to be a good step for the 19-year-old in the right direction.