Player Focus: Casemiro Taking His Chance to Shine for Real Madrid

For all the criticism Rafa Benitez has received following his appointment as Real Madrid head coach, one has to commend certain aspects of Los Blancos’ impressive start to the season. The Madrid side are one of four teams in Europe’s top 5 leagues yet to succumb to defeat this campaign, along with Celta Vigo - who they face this coming weekend - Bayern Munich and PSG. To amplify their exploits thus far, Madrid boast the best defensive record on the continent having shipped just two goals. 

The likes of Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo have drawn the plaudits for the club’s resolute defence this campaign, and rightly so. Looking further forward, there are those in midfield who warrant credit. Luka Modric has once more excelled in the middle of the park as one might expect, while Toni Kroos is again proving a more than capable performer with the ball at his feet, as his 93.3% pass success rate highlights. 

However, as effective as the Modric-Kroos axis may be, the lack of defensive solidity provided runs the risk of leaving Madrid exposed in the middle of the park. Given their dominance in La Liga, this is not a problem as the duo’s ability to successfully retain possession means Benitez’s side can stifle the opposition and adopt a patient approach, attacking as and when they see fit. Against the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, though - two of La Liga’s elite - Madrid require a tough-tackler in the middle of the park to break up possession with aplomb. 

Enter stage left, Casemiro. A signing from Sao Paulo back in 2013 following an impressive loan spell in Spain, the battle-hardened 23-year-old has been forced to work his way into the thoughts of Madrid’s first-team coach having spent last season at FC Porto. In Portugal, he regularly proved his worth under the tutelage of former Madridista Julen Lopetegui and it's fair to say Casemiro is now pushing for a regular first team spot in Benitez's side.

Only Lionel Messi (8.90), Eden Hazard (8.40) and Nani (8.28) gained a better WhoScored rating than Casemiro (8.16) in the Champions League last season, with the experience gained in Europe’s elite competition standing him in good stead upon his return to Spain. Furthermore, only Nemanja Matic (5.8) averaged more tackles per Champions League game than Casemiro (5.6) in 2014/15. 

He’s transferred his tough-tackling performances into league duties with Madrid, noted in that only Miguel Lopes (5.9) is averaging more tackles per 90 minutes than Casemiro (5.8) of all players to register at least 250 minutes of La Liga action this term. Such form has aided his transition to the starting XI, with his WhoScored rating a respectable 7.27. However, his rating from just starts rises to an impressive 7.88 after Madrid’s comfortable 3-0 win over Levante at the weekend. Using the same parameters for those to make three or more starts, Casemiro’s rating is the sixth best in La Liga this season. 

That comes as little shock given what the Brazil international brings to the table for Los Blancos. Any holding midfielder needs to successfully win the ball back from the opposition as and when it’s required, which Casemiro does to a high standard. The young midfielder is averaging more tackles per game (3.3) than any Madrid player, reinforcing his statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘tackling’. The ease with which he moves across the middle third solidifies the midfield and adds a steel that has perhaps been lacking in recent seasons. 

His aerial dominance is also a welcome addition to the midfield, with his average of 2.3 aerial duels won per game the fourth most for Madrid. This is a bonus against teams who offer a more direct threat, with Casemiro providing further protection to the defence. Either way, his qualities both in the air and with the ball on the deck has helped propel him into the thoughts of Benitez and his team selection. 

Since Claude Makélélé’s move to Chelsea in 2003, Madrid have been unable to sufficiently cover the Frenchman’s departure. Thomas Gravesen, Mahamadou Diarra and Lassana Diarra all failed to have the desired impact, while Sami Khedira’s time at the Bernabeu was tainted by injury. Xabi Alonso may have fulfilled the duties of the natural holder in the midfield, but his approach differed from that of Makélélé, the Spaniard instead utilising his impressive reading of the game to counter the opposition’s threat. 

In Casemiro, though, Madrid have a player who is not afraid to shirk his defensive responsibilities in order to stem the flow of attacks against Navas' goal. At his age, there is ample time for him to develop his game further, but his displays in the middle of the park have certainly shown he is deserving of regular action in the Spanish capital. As Madrid gear up for their Champions League meeting with PSG in Paris on Wednesday, Casemiro may be handed another chance to impress in order to stifle the French side’s illustrious attack. Given his displays in the middle of the park, the Blancos star is certainly more than ready for the task ahead.

How important can Casemiro become to the current Real Madrid set-up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below