Headline: Marc Casado Set to Face Barcelona After Loan Agreement Clarification
Deportivo La Coruna’s Marc Casado will be eligible to play against Barcelona when the two teams meet at ABANCA-Riazor on November 29. This eligibility comes after it was confirmed that his loan agreement does not include a clause that would prevent him from facing his parent club.
The midfielder had specifically requested the exclusion of such a restriction when he joined Deportivo on a season-long loan in September. His choice allows Deportivo’s manager, Antonio Hidalgo, to consider him for selection in the La Liga match, presenting Casado with a chance to compete against the club where he honed his skills.
In a recent press conference reported by Mundo Deportivo, Casado explained that he wanted the freedom to participate in every match during his time in Galicia, which includes the opportunity to play against Barcelona.
“As soon as I found out it was a loan move, I obviously asked them not to include that clause,” he stated. “I want to play in every match, or at least be available for every one. Whether I play or not is down to the manager, but at least I want to be available,” he added.
The 23-year-old midfielder also consulted with his agent, Jorge Mendes, ensuring that the absence of a restriction would not hinder his opportunities on the field. While the removal of this clause does not guarantee him a starting position, it does give Hidalgo the option to include him if he believes Casado can be a valuable asset against his former club.
Casado’s return to fitness following a collarbone injury adds further importance to this matchup against Barcelona. After fracturing his collarbone in September, the midfielder underwent surgery and was initially expected to be sidelined for about three months. However, he made a quicker recovery and returned to play against Espanyol on November 7.
Before his injury, Casado played 75 competitive matches for Barcelona’s first team. After progressing through La Masia, he now looks forward to testing himself against the team that significantly contributed to his growth as a player.
Despite the upcoming reunion, Casado remains focused on Deportivo’s immediate challenge. The team will face Alaves on November 21, with the highly anticipated match against Barcelona scheduled just eight days later.
Typically, a clause preventing a loan player from competing against their parent club can be enforced if the borrowing team pays a previously agreed fee. Although there are no explicit prohibitions against such agreements in La Liga or by the Spanish Football Federation, Barcelona has utilized similar clauses in past loan deals.
