A skilled midfielder, it was not until the 2010–11 campaign, 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 away draw against 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 over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, thus ending José Mourinho's nine-year unbeaten home league record. He finished his first season as a professional with 18 La Liga appearances, in an eventual escape from relegation.
