Marc Casado talks Bernal, Flick, Thiago, Xavi, Busquets, Kimmich comparisons | OneFootball

One of the revelations of the pre-season so far for FC Barcelona has been midfield prospect Marc Casado.

Having captained Barça Atletic last season, the 20-year-old is now a part of the first-team setup under Hansi Flick and has been impressing a great deal.

Casado did well in the friendly against UE Olot and backed it up with another solid display against Manchester City earlier in the week.

On his personal form

Discussing how things are going well for him, Casado remarked: “I’m feeling very good, I feel very comfortable and I hope to continue like this. You have to go into every training session and every game at 100 per cent.

“That’s how the opportunities can come. I’m working hard. I’m working to show that I have the desire and the quality to play here. I hope that many more minutes and opportunities come my way.”

On whether he sees himself as a regular starter for Barcelona now, the midfielder replied: “I don’t know… My objective is to work one hundred per cent every game to achieve my best performance and hopefully the right opportunities.”

On partnership with Bernal, Kimmich comparisons

His partnership with Marc Bernal in the double pivot has been a big positive, so much so that the Catalans are no longer looking for a new defensive midfielder as a priority.

Discussing the same during an interview earlier today, Casado said: “We don’t know how we don’t talk to each other, but with one look we already notice each other, and I think that on the field you can see that there is that connection.

“The truth is that we feel very comfortable. We have been playing together on the field for an entire season.”

Casado has been impressive in pre-season. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Casado’s performances of late seem to have earned him the nickname ‘Joshua Kimmich’ in the Barcelona dressing room. Explaining the nickname and comparisons with the Bayern Munich superstar, the La Masia ace said:

“They say physically I look a little like him. Last season I ended up playing as a right-back and midfielder, which is what he does. The joke inside the locker room, they put it on the internet and now see….”

“I’ve paid a lot of attention to Busquets and Xavi. I’ve tried to observe their movements to improve,” he added.

When asked if he is ready to be Barça’s Kimmich, he replied: “Anything.”

On Hansi Flick

Casado also touched upon the influence and impact that Flick has had since taking over the reins of the Barcelona team, as he said:

“You can see that he is a very good coach. He works very well tactically and physically. There is a good improvement. He is a very close coach. We noticed his confidence from Day 1. He communicates a lot with us.”

The Barcelona academy graduate also spoke of the impact that former midfielder Thiago Alcantara has made since joining Flick’s backroom staff.

Thiago Alcantara? He helps us a lot with many things. Not just the midfielders, everyone. But he tries to help the midfielders make those passes he gave,” said Casado.

Source: SPORT