While Real Madrid fans jubilate after ending Luis Enrique's and Barcelona's 24 La Liga games unbeaten run , it is difficult to realise that the capital club did that with only 39 percent ball possession.
While the spotlight will naturally be on the attacking players ; Christiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, in truth it is Francisco Venancio Casemiro who is the unsung hero of the match. Since the exit of French man Claude Makeleke due to wage dispute to Chelsea in 2003, Real Madrid have tried in vain to sign a worthy replacement. The likes of Lasana Diarra, Xabi Alonso and Esteban Granero have all tried their respectively best's but are far from that typical effective defensive midfielder needed to balance an all attacking Real Madrid "Galactico" side.
It is on this backdrop, that the recall of the Brazilian from FC. Porto this season has proved a wise one. While not known for his attacking talents as his one goal and three assists this season illustrates, it is his defensive qualities that have marked him out from the rest of midfielders in Real Madrid.
Casemiro brings a calm influence to the back four and is one whose clinical tackles are second to none. He is not a jack of all trade and master of none type of player as his defensive inputs in the capital club have gradually made him indispensable. With the likes of Luka Modric, James Rodrigues, Toni Kroos and Isco all attacking players, there is need for a refined defensive midfield player to balance the team and that is exactly where the former São Paulo player comes in.
Against Barcelona on Saturday, Casemiro attempted and won the most tackles in the game (eight attempted and six successful), which reduced the pressure on his defence and neutralised the possession high-pressing football game plan of the Catalonian side. As if that wasn't enough, he also attempted two aerial duels and won all, once again making his presence felt in the midfield coupled with his two blocks which repelled two shots on target of Luis Enrique's side. As the game went on, it was clear that Casemiro was sniffling the attacking prowess of Barcelona, and at the same time allowing his quick and fast teammates (Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema) the freedom and time to counter at the slightest opportunity .
Watching the game in private , former manager Rafeal Benitez would privately be regretting why he benched the Brazilian in the now infamous "Santiago Bernabeu 2015-2016 Season El-Classico" as his absence contributed to a 0-4 massacre of Real Madrid by Barcelona which prompted his sacking in January. One thing new coach and club legend Zinedine Zidane, must have realised in his short spell is that to win Barcelona one's team must have a midfielder who recovers and redistributes the ball quickly as Casemiro season passing accuracy of 87 percent illustrates.
Finally, Casemiro might not have scored the winning goal , scored the equaliser , yet to be called a Galactica or charismatic, yet that doesn't mean that Francisco Venancio Casemiro's defensive input is ignored. Casemiro represents a rare type of player that balances an attacking Real Madrid team and his performances can not be overemphasised .
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