Nacho Cases
Encyclopedia
Ignacio 'Nacho' Cases Mora (born 22 December 1987 in Gijón
, Asturias
) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Sporting de Gijón
as a midfielder
.
's prolific youth academy
, Mareo, Cases made it to the B team
during the 2005–06 season, with the club playing in the fourth division
. Although he proved instrumental in helping it achieve a promotion to the third level
two years later, he struggled for a place in the starting line-ups in the following years.
A skilled midfielder, it was not until 2010–11
, at the age of 23 years - and acting as captain with the reserves - that Cases was finally given his chance to make his first-team debut, starting in a 1–1 draw at Racing de Santander
on 9 January 2011. On 2 April, he assisted Miguel de las Cuevas in the 79th minute of a 1–0 win against Real Madrid
at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
, thus ending José Mourinho
's 9-year unbeaten home league record. He finished his first season as a professional with 18 La Liga
appearances, in an eventual escape from relegation.
Gijón
Gijón , officially Gijón / Xixón, is a coastal industrial city and a municipality in the autonomous community of Asturias in Spain. Early mediaeval texts mention it as "Gigia". It was an important regional Roman city, although the area has been settled since earliest history...
, Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
) is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for Sporting de Gijón
Sporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
A product of Sporting de GijónSporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
's prolific youth academy
Cantera
Cantera, literally meaning "quarry" in Spanish, is a term used in Spain to refer to youth academies and farm teams organized by sports clubs. It is also used to refer to the geographical area that clubs recruit players from. The term is widely used in football but is also applied to other sports...
, Mareo, Cases made it to the B team
Sporting de Gijón B
Real Sporting de Gijón B is a Spanish football club based in Gijón, in the autonomous community of Asturias. Founded in 1967, it is the reserve team of Sporting de Gijón, and currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 1, holding home games at Escuela de Fútbol de Mareo.Unlike the English League,...
during the 2005–06 season, with the club playing in the fourth division
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
. Although he proved instrumental in helping it achieve a promotion to the third level
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
two years later, he struggled for a place in the starting line-ups in the following years.
A skilled midfielder, it was not until 2010–11
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
, at the age of 23 years - and acting as captain with the reserves - that Cases was finally given his chance to make his first-team debut, starting in a 1–1 draw at Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
on 9 January 2011. On 2 April, he assisted Miguel de las Cuevas in the 79th minute of a 1–0 win against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is an all-seater football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 and is owned by Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. It has a current capacity of 85,454 spectators....
, thus ending José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
's 9-year unbeaten home league record. He finished his first season as a professional with 18 La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
appearances, in an eventual escape from relegation.