Real Madrid: 5 things we are thankful for in 2019-2020

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MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Carlos Casemiro of Real Madrid looks to bring the ball down during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at Bernabeu on November 26, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Casemiro’s relentless defensive work

Before Fede Valverde emerged as a regular starter and a fan favorite at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casemiro was the lone man holding down the fort in midfield defensively. Often doing his best to cover for the fullbacks and not be overwhelmed by the pressure placed on him as the team’s only holding midfielder, Casemiro racked up tackles and interceptions at an alarming rate.

According to WhoScored.com, Casemiro is averaging 3.8 tackles per game and 2.3 interceptions per game, which places him in an elite class. No player in La Liga has more tackles per game or interceptions per game than Casemiro, whose reading of the game and strength are absolutely sublime.

Casemiro has a nonstop motor and has played 1,140 La Liga minutes this season, putting him in a tie with Sergio Ramos for the most on the team. That is an incredible amount of playing time for a midfielder, and it’s a huge reason why the Brazilian is in the argument for being Real Madrid’s most important player despite all the quality from the likes of Ramos, Kroos, Benzema, and new superstar Eden Hazard.

But Casemiro has earned this high praise. Thankfully, Valverde has come around to ease the burden on Casemiro as a true box-to-box midfielder with world-class talent, but even with Valverde shining, Casemiro’s quality and importance has not waned.

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