#3 Defensive Midfield – Casemiro
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The moment Lionel Messi scored *that goal* to consign Real Madrid to a 3-2 defeat in El Clasico, Florentino Perez’ transfer plans ought to have crystallized before him. Los Blancos need a defensive midfielder – one who would have fouled Sergi Roberto in the build up to that goal, or even tracked Messi’s run into the box, where he was incredible left free to score in injury time. Ordinarily, Casemiro is the one doing that job.
This isn’t a criticism of Casemiro, per se, – in fact he is probably Real Madrid’s most important player.
Also Read: La Liga 2016/17: Casemiro, not Cristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrid's most important player
Yet, given the nature of his role, he will always walk a disciplinary tightrope. What was telling against Barcelona was that when Casemiro was hauled off to prevent him being sent off, the only midfielder with a defensive bone in his body that a club with the financial wherewithal of Real Madrid could muster was Mateo Kovacic. Predictably, he faltered on the big stage.
Madrid need another defensive midfielder in their squad. Placing the entire season’s defensive responsibilities on the shoulders of a single, young Brazilian is foolhardy, no matter how good he is. Los Blancos ought to be going all out to sign the likes of N’Golo Kante and Marco Verratti, or even bring La Liga-proven Marcos Llorente back to the club if they want to save some money.
