Franck Kessié’s injury in the final stretch of Barça’s 4-2 win at Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday opened the door for young reserve team midfielder Marc Casadó. The Catalan made his official debut with the first team in a Champions League match as he replaced Kessie off the bench.
Casado, 19, came onto the field in the 67th minute and assumed his usual role the deepest midfielder, a position in which the Ivorian international was playing. Casado is a regular fixture in Rafa Márquez’s B team.
So far this season he has already featured in four first team match day squads. He watched from the bench the two games against Inter Milan in the Champions League and also the LaLiga matches against Mallorca and Celta Vigo.
Shortly after Casado’s arrival, Xavi also gave Álvaro Sanz, another reserve team midfielder, another opportunity. He came on for Pablo Torre in the 77th minute.
Sanz had already accumulated 43 minutes with the first team throughout last season. He played a few minutes in the league trips to Mallorca and Granada and in the Copa del Rey against Linares.
