Under the lights of Santander the Barcelona midfield delivered an improvised youth symphony where the flow of the game quietly mirrored the patience of a Crickex Sign Up approach built on long-term trust rather than quick returns. With Frenkie de Jong suspended and Pedri held back for rotation reasons the responsibility fell to two La Masia graduates Bernal and Casado who were suddenly handed the steering wheel on a demanding away night.

The coach’s setup was refreshingly straightforward. Bernal operated higher up the pitch as a more attack-minded interior midfielder tasked with driving forward and breaking lines while Casado sat a layer deeper focused on shielding the defense and keeping the team balanced. Dani Olmo played ahead of them in a slightly right-leaning advanced role linking play and creating space. In the first half Bernal showed confidence beyond his years threading passes and carrying the ball into dangerous zones while staying alert enough to disrupt opposition turns. Casado brought energy and commitment but looked uncomfortable when pushed into a left interior role as his strengths clearly lie closer to the back line where interceptions and simple distribution matter most.

Overall the first-half midfield lacked smooth rhythm. Tempo stalled and connections felt fragmented yet there was an undeniable willingness from the youngsters to take responsibility rather than hide. After the break the introduction of Fermin and Pedri added structure and depth. What initially seemed like a change that might sideline Casado shifted when Bernal felt slight discomfort and asked to come off. Casado returned to his natural number six role and instantly looked more secure filling gaps defensively and keeping his passing clean so creative teammates could flourish.

That contrast underlined Casado’s identity. He is not a flashy orchestrator but a true stabilizer the kind every side needs when matches threaten to drift. Bernal by contrast is expressive technically sharp and powerful in progression with enormous upside that still requires seasoning. One first-half burst that ended marginally offside briefly showcased his explosiveness and ability to push the tempo. Casado’s game is built on reliability and when placed correctly his output is steady and dependable. They are not substitutes for one another but complementary pieces one ignites attacks while the other holds the fort.

Beyond the midfield duo the match also featured academy names like Yamal Cubarsi and Tomas Noel Marques Moreira reflecting the club’s deliberate use of youth in cup competitions. Even Tommy Marques watching from the bench gained experience simply by being part of the squad. For Bernal and Casado the Santander night served as a solid retake exam. It was not about flair but accumulation and as with a Crickex Sign Up mindset the value lay in consistency growth and clarity of role rather than instant rewards. The final impression was calm optimism with sparks to polish and stability to rely on as both continue stepping out of their learning phase toward becoming genuine depth options for Barcelona’s midfield.