Casemiro has faced Barcelona more frequently than any other club in his illustrious career thus far.
The star player for Manchester United has faced the Spanish heavyweights 19 times, winning nine of those matches and feeling wonderful about it. He has also had the exhilaration of scoring against them; in a dramatic El Clasico match in 2017, he gave Real Madrid the lead, despite the fact that they ultimately lost 3-2.
But this evening, Casemiro will line up against the La Liga giants in a United jersey rather than the fabled white shirt of Madrid, as he did on the previous 19 occasions. After missing the Reds’ last two Premier League matches through suspension, the trip to Spain has offered the Brazilian the option to break his punishment into two and return to the side, with the midfielder poised to end his domestic term against Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
However, despite the 30-year-excellent old’s midfield destruction button this season, he has given United so much more, most of which was unanticipated. In contrast to his time at Real Madrid, where he spent the better part of a decade lying deep and handing the ball to either Toni Kroos or Luka Modric, who could then use their skills to advance the ball, Casemiro has shown other aspects of his game this year.
Erik ten Hag’s metamorphosis of United has been greatly aided by his ability to get on the ball and pick a pass. He demonstrated his ability to crack open defenses on his first Premier League start for the team by sticking out a long leg to regain possession off Alex Iwobi’s toes and then playing a through ball to send Cristiano Ronaldo through on goal to seal a 2-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park in October.
The Brazilian has shown this season that he can choose a pass and also flex his muscles in the attacking third of the field. Only Marcus Rashford (28), Bruno Fernandes (13), and Christian Eriksen have made more direct goal contributions (goals and assists) for the United team this season (11).
Therefore, the numbers show that the former Madrid player, who is accustomed to the thrill of victory at Camp Nou, is much more than just a defensive midfielder who will clear the danger and handle the gritty aspects of the game. However, Xavi claims that Casemiro’s abilities outside of that setting are somewhat constrained.
This season, the Brazilian has demonstrated his ability to pick a pass and use his strength in the offensive third of the pitch. Christian Eriksen (goals and assists) and Bruno Fernandes (goals and assists) have both contributed to more direct goals (goals and assists) for the United team this season (11).
The statistics so demonstrate that the ex-Madrid player, who is used to the exhilaration of triumph at Camp Nou, is much more than just a defensive midfielder who will clear the danger and handle the gritty aspects of the game. However, Xavi asserts that Casemiro’s skills are fairly limited outside of that context.
Casemiro’s move to United has undoubtedly shown he is not a limited operator, even though players have the opportunity to display different sides to their unique game in different teams and different systems. He practically single-handedly changed the Reds’ midfield and the way the team played as a whole.
While his primary duty is to provide United with grit and defensive intelligence in the middle of the field, he has demonstrated that he is capable of so much more, especially offensively with his vast range of passes and ability to chip in with a goal or two. And with that said, he will try to give United some of that attacking drive against Barcelona as opposed to simply sitting deep and keeping an eye on those rushing at him and the back four behind him.
He will undoubtedly run the risk of making Xavi seem bad if he is successful in imposing himself on the game in an offensive sense.