Guadalajara veteran reflects on Barcelona loss and Pedri’s magic – ‘I’m a Real Madrid fan, but this kid is a genius’
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Jorge Casado of CD Guadalajara reflects on their Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona, praising Pedri despite being a Real Madrid fan. Read his insights.
Jorge Casado, a veteran player for CD Guadalajara, isn't letting his team's 2-0 defeat to FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey get him down. Instead, the 36-year-old centre-back expressed pride in his team's performance after the final whistle.
Casado spoke openly after the match, emphasizing that his team left the field with their heads held high, having competed bravely against one of the world's top football clubs. He told MARCA that playing the match was a dream come true. He added, "We made Barcelona feel very uncomfortable throughout the match, and that says a lot about the team’s work."
Respect for Barcelona's Lineup
Barcelona's decision to field a strong starting XI, including young talent Lamine Yamal, was a major pre-match talking point. Casado saw this as a sign of Barcelona's respect for their opponents.
"If they came out with a great team, it’s because they didn’t want to take anything for granted," Casado noted. He also highlighted Guadalajara's fearless approach: "They’re impressive, of course they are, but there was no fear. We treated them as equals."
Praise for Pedri
Pedri's second-half introduction proved to be a game-changer, prompting one of the most memorable quotes of the night. Despite admitting his allegiance to Real Madrid, Casado couldn't help but admire the young Barcelona midfielder.
"I’m a Real Madrid fan, but this kid is a genius," Casado stated. He continued, "He has a gift, it’s wonderful to watch him and how lucky we are to be able to enjoy him in the Spanish national team."
Beyond the game itself, Casado also appreciated the personal interactions after the match, particularly exchanging shirts with Barcelona's Eric Garcia. "I took Eric Garcia’s shirt, and I really liked the gesture,” he said. “He could have kept it, but he asked for mine too, and that says a lot about him.”
Casado downplayed any perceived gap in quality between the two teams, focusing on his team's strong showing.
