According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barça manager Xavi Hernández has experimented with a midfield pairing of Casado and Bernal during the pre-season, with the duo starting three out of four games. The two young midfielders from Barça’s youth academy have impressed with their solid performances. However, pre-season games are far from the real deal and in the upcoming La Liga opener, with the absence of Gavi, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín, it would be a gamble for Xavi to start these two youngsters.
Throughout pre-season, Xavi seemed to be happy with the Casado-Bernal pairing. The two youngsters, dubbed the “La Masia couple”, were both playing in Barça B last season. Except for the match against Milan, where Christensen replaced Bernal in midfield to partner Casado, the rest of the games were started by the young duo.
In the match against Milan, the first half was relatively dull, but Bernal’s introduction in the second half brought energy to the team. The 17-year-old midfielder is gradually adapting to the “number 6” role, working to become an important part of the team’s defense and helping the center-backs start attacks.
The two youngsters also performed well in the first two pre-season games. In the matches against Manchester City and Real Madrid, they not only defended solidly but also ensured the team’s attacking fluidity. Casado’s assist for Pau Víctor and Bernal’s impressive physicality and ball control were highlights.
However, in the Gamper Cup, despite a brilliant first half from Bernal, a mistake led to the team conceding a goal, which was a setback for him. Moreover, he was unable to recreate his high-quality performance in the second half, eventually losing to Monaco.
For the upcoming La Liga opener, Xavi has Christensen and Ilkay Gündogan as backup options. If Christensen is chosen to play in midfield, it means that Iñigo Martínez needs to be registered, otherwise the Danish international will remain in the defense. Gündogan is also a possible change in midfield, but Xavi will have to assess the German international’s training situation.
Will Xavi continue to rely on these two young players who have emerged from the youth system, or will he choose more experienced veterans? The answer will be revealed before the league opener on Saturday.
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