FC Barcelona finished their US preseason tour with two impressive wins against Manchester City and Real Madrid, though they couldn't pull it off against Milan in the end. Regardless of the loss in the AC Milan fixture, the preseason tour has been an overall success for FC Barcelona.
With the prominent rise of many young Barca talents, Flick's side has materialized the objective of the preseason tour. From the sensational show of Pau Victor to the dynamic duo of Marc Bernal and Marc Casado, the US Tour has familiarized many players with the next season's Barca XI.
Sensational duo of La Masia prodigies set to start in Barcelona's midfield
Speaking in particular of the Casado-Bernal duo, the two have emerged as the best options to fill in Flick's double pivot system. Moreover, reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest that Flick trusts Bernal and Casado a lot and that the two could be a crucial part of Barcelona in the upcoming campaign.
Together since featuring for Barca Atletic, the duo enjoys brilliant coordination and support for each other. This has enabled Flick to accustom the duo as per his tactical needs. In the youth teams, Marc Casadó was played as a positional pivot, while Marc Bernal had more freedom to roam in attack. However, Hansi Flick has asked them to do the exact opposite, and it has worked very well.
According to recent reports, Bernal will be trusted to be in first-team dynamics, while his duo mate Casadó's renewal will make him a first-team player. Given their preseason brilliance, Marc Bernal and Casado are supposed to start for Barça against Valencia at Mestalla in the double-pivot system.
Not only the duo's prominence has ensured Barca two young pivots, but it has further enhanced Flick's options considering the Catalan club's current midfield injury woes. With star players like De Jong, Pedri, and Gavi injured, the duo's emergence has acted none less than a boon for the Blaugrana club.
Moreover, having two much-experienced pivots in Gundogan and Christensen, Flick owns a brilliant catalog of midfield options. Kicking off their new season in the first La Liga matchday against Valencia, Barca looks set to start the 2024/25 campaign.