He's disappeared, Hansi Flick doesn't count on him, Andreas Christensen takes his spot.

The match against Chelsea is still making headlines in the Catalan capital. Several days have passed and, despite the victory over Alavés, what happened at Stamford Bridge continues to shape the club's current events. It's not just because of Araújo's red card, but because of a very specific decision by Hansi Flick in the engine room.

Barça faced the trip to London without Pedri, an absence that's always felt in the team's structure. The Canary Islander is the spiritual leader of the midfield, the player who gives meaning to the game and organizes the rest with his mere presence. Without him, Hansi Flick had to choose a replacement capable of keeping the team together in a highly demanding scenario, and the truth is that his decision left no one indifferent.

Hansi Flick forgets about Marc Casadó

At Stamford Bridge, the German coach chose a double pivot formed by Frenkie de Jong and Eric García. The choice was already surprising, but what really drew attention was the absence of Marc Casadó. Many thought the academy product would step up without Pedri, but Flick chose to leave him on the bench; not even in the second half, with the match wide open, did he go for him.

The surprise grew when, with half an hour left, Hansi Flick turned to Andreas Christensen ahead of Marc Casadó. The Dane, a center-back by trade, was chosen to fill a position that traditionally belongs to a specialist. Christensen performed with tactical reliability and sound judgment, but the truth is that his presence sent a very clear message to Casadó.

It's striking that Hansi Flick trusted a converted defender before a midfielder specifically trained for that role. Marc Casadó not only knows Barça's positional play perfectly, but he also stands out for his ability to recover balls, correct spaces, and keep the game flowing. On paper, his profile fit better than Andreas Christensen's.

What will happen with Marc Casadó?

Reality shows that Hansi Flick preferred to bet on experience and authority rather than positional purity. Against Chelsea, in a context of maximum tension, Andreas Christensen moved ahead of Marc Casadó in the coach's pecking order. This gesture, beyond the specific match, seems to have fired up the Barça fans, who are demanding explanations.

It remains to be seen if this move is kept in the upcoming fixtures, especially when Pedri returns. For now, the impression is clear: Marc Casadó has disappeared from Flick's plans, who no longer counts on him as many thought just a few weeks ago. Andreas Christensen, on the other hand, has gained ground and is emerging as a real alternative for the pivot role.

Time will tell if it was a one-off decision or a structural change in midfield. The only certainty is that Hansi Flick has sent a strong message, and Marc Casadó is the one who's felt it the most.