Barcelona midfield gem likely to get vital minutes against Espanyol after complete recovery | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado is set to make his return to action, two months after suffering a partial tear of the external lateral ligament in his right knee.

The injury, sustained on 14 March during a derby clash against Espanyol, forced the 21-year-old off the pitch in the 67th minute following a heavy challenge from Antoine Griezmann.

Casado has now fully recovered and has been given medical clearance to rejoin competitive action. He was already seen on the bench during El Clasico against Real Madrid but did not feature in the match.

However, he is expected to be included in the squad for Barcelona’s upcoming clash, once again against Espanyol, today.

The young midfielder returned to full training on 2 May and appears ready to contribute once more. His presence will be welcomed by manager Hansi Flick, who has relied heavily on the Catalan this season, especially in the central areas of the pitch.

A promising season interrupted

Marc Casado is likely to get some minutes against Espanyol. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Prior to his injury, Casado was enjoying a breakthrough campaign. He had firmly established himself as a valuable asset in Flick’s system, playing in 36 matches and amassing 2,447 minutes on the pitch.

During that time, he provided six assists and scored one goal, a testament to his ability to influence games both defensively and in build-up play.

Casado particularly stood out in the first half of the season, including an impressive performance in the Montjuic derby against Espanyol, where he played 56 minutes and delivered a superb assist in a 3-1 win.

Now, with the season nearing its climax, Casado’s return could give Barça a much-needed boost in midfield.

His energy, tactical awareness, and technical quality make him an ideal fit in Flick’s system, especially in a squad still managing the physical demands of a long campaign. Although Frenkie de Jong is expected to start, Casado is likely to get some minutes as well.

If fully fit and back to his pre-injury form, Casado could play an important role in helping Barcelona finish the season strongly, particularly with the manager looking to rotate and keep the squad fresh.