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Real Madrid will be delighted to welcome Casemiro into action on Wednesday night as he prepares to face Inter Milan at San Siro in the Champions League. The Brazilian has missed the last two Madrid games after testing positive for COVID-19.
Speaking to official UEFA channels and broadcast by Marca, the 28-year-old addressed the previous battle with Inter Milan, the importance of captain Sergio Ramos and the role of the defensive midfielder in the modern game.
The Whites beat Inter in a thrilling match in Madrid before the international break 3-2, a crucial result for Zinedine Zidane’s side in what has been a less than stellar start to the season.
“We knew it was not going to be an easy match, but mentally we were very strong and we were focused on victory,” Casemiro said. And then Rodrygo confirmed it with a goal.
“The mental work and concentration that we maintained throughout the game were very important. We are aware that there is still a long way to go, but that victory was very important ”.
The news of Real Madrid in recent times has been dominated by the contractual situation of Sergio Ramos. Their captain’s contract expires in the summer and talks about the role have linked him to a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain.
“Sergio is a leader in the locker room and on the field,” Casemiro said. “It is a pleasure to have shared all these years with him. What he’s doing now is writing his name in the club’s history books.
“He is a player who never gives up. He always wants to fight and he always wants to win. He pushes the team forward and is a leader and a role model for us. “
Casemiro also touched on the role of the defensive midfielder in the modern game and how the position has evolved to become pivotal in recent years.
“I always say that a footballer, whatever his age, is going to learn something new every day, even if it’s small details,” he said. “The role of the defensive midfielder was quite common in the past, especially in Brazil.
“We had many players, such as Mauro Silva, Gilberto Silva and Dunga, who felt comfortable playing that role number five, as we say in Brazil. That ceased to exist, but now it is returning because the formations themselves have changed.
“Today we have returned to the old formation where the full-backs are coming up high and then backing away, and the defensive midfielder plays a vital role in this. It provides balance and must keep an eye on the other players and fill in the gaps they leave. The defensive midfielder is the center of everything in midfield and is essential for any team.
Without a doubt, Casemiro has become essential for Real Madrid. The Brazilian joined the club in 2013 from Sao Paulo, the club with which he began his career.
Apart from a brief stint with Porto, Casemiro has established himself spectacularly at the Santiago Bernabéu and has become one of the best players for Madrid and Brazil.
Los Blancos are currently third in Group B of the Champions League, behind Borussia Monchengladbach and Shakhtar Donetsk and just ahead of Inter.
Featured image courtesy of PSG Talk.
