3 Real Madrid players who must step up at Athletic Club with Casemiro out
Real Madrid played a frustrating game last time out at home against Cadiz who successfully lined up a 10-man defense to keep Los Blancos at bay. Real Madrid came the closest through a Fede Valverde strike, hit sweetly with the laces and a bit of the outside of the foot. However impressive the technique was the shot was kept out by Cadiz keeper Jeremias Ledesma who also blocked a free kick attempt from Karim Benzema. That was it for clear chances in that game.
Eventfully, Carlos Casemiro who had to dive into a tactical foul received a yellow card in the first half itself. And now, it means Casemiro will have to serve a suspension in the next game that is against Athletic Club. On the other hand, Luka Modric is out with COVID and cannot play in the upcoming match despite testing negative. This is due to the rules set by the Basque Government’s Health Ministry.
If the right-wing affected by COVID wasn’t enough, now Real Madrid’s elite midfield trio is also broken up for the trip to Bilbao. As such, these players, in my understanding, need to step up to cover for Carlos Casemiro and see off a tough closing game of the year.
3. TONI KROOS
If Luka Modric’s absence heightened responsibilities for Toni Kroos, Casemiro’s suspension certainly doubles that. With another youngster expected to take up Casemiro’s role in the starting line-up, Kroos would be the only player from Real’s experienced old guard. That means he’d be the natural leader in the middle of the park for Real Madrid.
No, Kroos wouldn’t do things that Casemiro does, rather his role would be similar to what we saw against Cadiz. He was exceptional even in a bad game. Kroos was Real’s brightest spot, no kidding. He’d once again be expected to dictate possession. In this game, he’d have an extra job of dropping back to support the central defense and play a holding role.
Unlike Cadiz who was there to defend in the Bernabeu, Athletic Club playing in their home would be expected to bring the game to Los Blancos. There would be openings with both teams going for the win and there is where’s Kroos’s genius is expected to pay back for Real Madrid.
The German will again have one huge job before he can bid goodbye to 2021. We hope he repeats his masterclass from last time only this time his passes find a tangible end product.