Real Madrid: 5 burning questions for the break after win over Levante
Does Real Madrid DM Casemiro need to go under the microscope?
Casemiro had another brilliant game defensively for Real Madrid in the clean sheet win over Levante. Per WhoScored.com, the Brazilian No. 6 had five tackles and four interceptions. But he also completed only 81.8 percent of his passes and was frequently targeted by Levante in the middle of the park.
Levante like to pounce on mistakes and create situations where they can get a quick attack off. They seemed to target Casemiro by swarming and pressing him when he was on the ball, challenging him to quickly make the right pass.
Instead of making the right pass, Casemiro had a few slip-ups. He didn’t look composed on the ball for Los Blancos, and Real Madrid can consider themselves fortunate that Jose Luis Morales didn’t punish them like he did earlier in 2020.
Casemiro had some nervy moments against Real Betis early on, too, though he didn’t seem to be 100 percent in the first half after a tough challenge.
Against Levante, there were also some fans who believe Casemiro was lucky to avoid a second yellow card after an early booking. Case walks that fine line frequently with one yellow, but he was a little bit reckless.
Casemiro is the best defensive midfielder in the world and was one of Real Madrid’s most important players in 2019-2020. But he’s also been poor to start the season in some respects, just like Karim Benzema. Hopefully, he picks it up after the break.