Barcelona youngster highly rated by Xavi could make La Liga debut vs Mallorca

With several injury issues hampering the team, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has named as many as eight players from the youth and reserve roster on the squad list for the game against Mallorca.

Among those is a midfielder who has been called up regularly but has hardly received opportunities – Marc Casado.

The 20-year-old Barça Atletic captain is a regular presence in first-team training and has been included in the matchday squad on numerous occasions without getting any minutes in La Liga. But that could change tonight against Mallorca.

Casado could make La Liga debut vs Mallorca

Indeed, as per Sergi De Juan and Javi Miguel of AS, Casado could get his opportunity to finally make his La Liga debut when Barcelona take on Mallorca later tonight in Montjuic.

The La Masia midfielder has played for the senior team before, but all of his three appearances have come in the UEFA Champions League (two this season).

Casado has been called up for 15 La Liga matches by Xavi so far but the youngster has not had a chance to make his debut.

But with injuries to Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Gavi, the Blaugrana’s midfield unit is short-staffed at this moment.

Casado’s moment finally? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Furthermore, the manager could look to give respite to the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Andreas Christensen after some time, given that the Catalans play Napoli next.

As such, there could be a possibility that Casado will get some minutes of action against Mallorca today.

Xavi rates Casado highly

The report further states that even though he has not played the midfielder much, Xavi rates Casado very highly.

The Barcelona manager considers him a treasure because of his “soul” and because he can perform well as a midfielder, pivot, centre-back, or right-back.

As such, after a long wait, Casado could finally make his La Liga bow tonight when Barcelona step out at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.