DM Casemiro
The final spot goes to another defense-minded player who will have to do some extra covering without the colossal defensive presence roaming the left flank and winning one-on-one after one-on-one. And that man is defensive midfielder Casemiro, the reigning Man of the Match of the Champions League second leg clean sheet at Anfield.
Casemiro is having another fantastic season for Real Madrid. He is second on the team in goals, and he is the team’s leader in both tackles and interceptions per game with a combined 5.0 per contest. You just don’t find many players like him.
Without Mendy, Casemiro’s ability to cover ground and read the game will be vital. Real Madrid will miss those qualities against Getafe, as Case is suspended after a rare red card in El Clasico. Once he returns, Case will be ready to clamp down Cadiz’s counterattacks on Wednesday and then deal with playmakers Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales next weekend when Real faces a very good Real Betis side.
Casemiro is always busy on the pitch, and he’ll have even more work to do with Marcelo set to take Mendy’s place in the lineup. If he fulfills these duties to the level his talent dictates, his compatriot at left back can have that much more leeway to operate on the attacking end and help create great chances for Karim Benzema and the other forwards.