Real Madrid: 3 takeaways from a dull draw with Osasuna
Casemiro keeps Real Madrid clean
The Real Madrid clean sheet will come as little consolation considering the club dropped points to a side that was fighting in the relegation zone, but, as we saw against Shakhtar Donetsk twice, Real have frequently outright lost games against teams playing a low-block by being over-aggressive and then getting completely gashed by a counter.
A clean sheet is always a team effort, but I would like to single out Casemiro as Real Madrid’s standout performer in this otherwise disappointing draw.
I know fans have been criticizing Case for giving the ball away when pressured, but, firstly, he did none of that today, and, secondly, he’s made up for any weaknesses on the ball in recent weeks by playing elite defensively.
Casemiro is nearing his absolute best, and he showed his best in Pamplona. The man had five clearances, three interceptions, and two blocked shots against Osasuna, leading Real Madrid in all three key categories.
Next. Just how important is Sergio Ramos?. dark
His defending was intelligent, industrious, and in the nick of time in many cases. He made some very skilled interventions, constantly positioning himself perfectly and working with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane to ensure that Osasuna would not get clean breaks on Thibaut Courtois’ goal. Be disappointed with the draw, yes, but give a gentle tip of your cap in Casemiro’s direction.