Real Madrid: Top 5 performances from win over Leganes

CM Casemiro

Based on his work this year, Casemiro has put himself in the conversation as the best defensive midfielder in the world, and it is remarkable how brilliant he has been this campaign. Casemiro is one of the top players in La Liga in interceptions and tackles, and he even outpaced himself on Wednesday with a jaw-dropping 10 tackles.

Casemiro was untouchable against Leganes, whose midfield were simply powerless to stop the Brazilian from bossing another game. He didn’t make a profound impact in an attacking sense, as the forwards and Toni Kroos had the goal-scoring output all figured out.

But Casemiro did lead the team with eight accurate long balls, completing 83% of his passes in another competent display on the ball. Again, though, what separates Casemiro from the rest of the center midfielders on the team – and, really, in the world – is his ability to make a profound impact defensively.

Casemiro is averaging 3.9 tackles per game and 2.7 interceptions per game, and those are numbers that leave me blinking twice every time I see them. He is a special player in the midst of a special season that Real Madrid fans must relish. The way he reads the game defensively and the way he works in the middle of the park for his team are irreplaceable.