Providing opportunities and chances to the youth is something that FC Barcelona is quite renowned for. The Catalan club, throughout its storied history, has done well to rely on its youngsters to step up in difficult moments. As the years have gone by, Barcelona has not abandoned that practice.
Even in this team led by Hansi Flick today, many of the side’s top performers are youngsters. Most of them have emerged from the Barcelona youth system itself, and their importance to the team cannot be justified by words or statistics. There is perhaps something even more special about them.
However, when Flick first arrived, he was still a newcomer to the Barcelona system. Despite the fact that he had studied the club well and perfectly understood what their philosophy and foundations were, it can never hurt to take a recommendation from someone who has lived and bled for the Blaugrana colors.
Rafa Marquez, who was the coach of Barcelona Atletic at that time, was the man that Flick took his inquiries to during preseason. Apparently, according to [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/mejor-consejo-rafa-marquez-hansi-flick-marc-casado-112601076), Flick wanted a suggestion regarding a player with enough leadership and confidence to step into the first team without any issues.
Ultimately, Marquez ended up recommending none other than Marc Casado. The young defensive midfielder, a player full of energy and dedication, was someone that the former youth coach valued dearly and made sure that he let Flick know exactly what he brings to the table.
Since then, Marquez’s recommendation has delivered again and again for Barcelona this season. Casado is a player who is always leading the team, whether it be on or off the pitch. Moreover, despite this being his first season as a regular first team player, he has [not been overwhelmed](https://barcanewsnetwork.com/marc-casados-stats-from-barcelona-vs-monaco-justify-hansi-flicks-faith-in-him/) at all.