In the league match against Atlético, Casadó had to be substituted and the club issued a medical report on his condition. “As for Marc Casadó, tests carried out this morning, Monday 17 March, have shown that he has suffered an injury to the external collateral ligament in his right knee. Further tests are pending to determine the exact extent of the injury and subsequent treatment.”
With this prognosis, the Barça midfielder would miss at least twelve games, in addition to what were, at that time, hypothetical Champions League semi-finals and the Copa del Rey final. If he is out for two months, the last two league games (Barça-Villarreal and Athletic-Barça) and a possible Champions League final, scheduled for May 31 in Munich, would also have to be added.
There was a glimmer of hope that the recovery time could be shortened, as the tear is not complete, meaning that the midfielder will not need surgery. The treatment will therefore be conservative. With the schedule in hand, he could be available to Hansi Flick in the final stretch of the season.
A month after his injury, the Barça youth player’s plan remains unchanged because he is feeling very positive and could be available soon. According to La SER, Casadó has already started training on the pitch and is working towards a comeback before the end of the season. The player is clear that he will not take any risks by returning to play too soon, but if his recovery continues as it has so far, and with a month to go, his goal would be to be ready for the last two league games: against Villarreal at Montjuïc and against Athletic at San Mamés. He would also be available for a hypothetical Champions League final.
Casadó’s unexpected injury meant that Flick had to make some decisions. Although Frenkie de Jong has secured a place in the starting line-up, Casadó was the first choice to partner Pedri in midfield. As demonstrated in the second leg of the Champions League, when Pedri was given a rest, no one was able to replace the Canary Islander with any guarantee, so the return of the youth player could be key to giving the two key men in midfield some rest at such a decisive stage of the season.