Real Madrid: Four takeaways from a 3-0 win over Cadiz

Real Madrid do it without their superstar midfielders

Real Madrid did not have Luka Modric and Toni Kroos available. The last time both players were out, they were rested to start the match against Elche before the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 vs. Atalanta. The result? Real barely won 2-1, and only after Modric and Kroos’ day of rest had to be altered. Los Blancos were down 1-0 before the duo was subbed into the match!

In this game, Modric and Kroos needed to be rested. That was non-negoitable. There was no backup plan for either player. Casemiro and Antonio Blanco, therefore, started in midfield, with Isco eventually getting some run in midfield in the second half.

Blanco and Casemiro were both tremendous. I already praised Blanco heavily, so let’s talk about the still-underrated Brazilian. Casemiro had the assist for Benz, and he led the team in pass attempts. As usual, Case was solid defensively, too.

Benzema’s importance to the team was clear, but it was great to see how the wide players like Rodrygo Goes stepped up to help make up for the losses of Kroos and Modric in the chance-creation department.

Real Madrid needed to win this game convincingly without Kroos and Modric. And this time, they did not disappoint. That’s a huge takeaway from this result, because many, including myself, worried this team could not function without them. Yes, it was only Cadiz, but, well, Cadiz did beat them once and are not near the relegation fight. So this is still a result to applaud.