Barcelona midfielder Casado out for two months with knee injury
Baku, March 19, AZERTAC
Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado suffered a partial knee ligament tear in last weekend's victory at Atletico Madrid and will likely be sidelined for two months, the Spanish Liga leaders said on Tuesday, according to BeSoccer.
Casado's diagnosis is the least severe of the possible outcomes. The club's medical report confirmed that his knee injury is a partial rupture rather than a complete tear, meaning his recovery, though lengthy, should take around two months.
According to the statement, Casado "has suffered a partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee". As a result, he will follow a conservative treatment plan and will not have to undergo surgery, which has been the primary concern. The club had already expressed cautious optimism on Monday.
Casado was forced off in the 67th minute against Atletico Madrid after struggling with visible discomfort, though the injury itself had occurred a few minutes earlier. Despite the pain, the midfielder managed to continue playing until the coaching staff decided to substitute him.
Although the news is not as bad as initially feared, Hansi Flick now faces a major setback, losing his first-choice pivot at a crucial point in the season. A two-month absence means Casado will likely return only for the final few La Liga matches, missing out on a potential Copa del Rey final and the latter stages of the Champions League.
The 20-year-old had been enjoying an outstanding breakthrough season in his first full campaign at the top level. Before his injury, he had played 2,447 minutes across 36 matches, starting 29 of them, scoring one goal, and providing six assists.
His performances also earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team in November, where he featured in wins over Denmark and Switzerland. He was set for another call-up this month before injury derailed those plans.
The player's absence forces Flick to rethink his midfield options, with Frenkie de Jong emerging as the most logical replacement. The Dutchman has endured a difficult season due to injuries and inconsistent form, losing his place to the academy player.
So far, he has started just 12 of the 29 matches he has played this campaign—his lowest tally in six seasons at the club. However, with Casado sidelined, Barcelona will need him to step up. De Jong was already in the starting XI for both legs against Benfica and is now expected to play a more prominent role.
