MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 17:46:11| >> :120:3731:3731:

Rafael Benitez praises Mateo Kovacic, Casemiro

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez hints that Mateo Kovacic and Casemiro are both key parts of his plans this season.

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has hinted that the midfield area of his team is currently in good shape after discussing Mateo Kovacic and Casemiro's performances this term.

Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are the two senior central midfielders in the Real Madrid squad, but Kovacic, 21, joined from Inter Milan in the summer and Casemiro returned from a loan at Porto.

Both Kovacic and Casemiro have played their part this season and Benitez has had his say on the pair.

"Mateo Kovacic? I knew enough about him. I wanted to sign him for Napoli. He's a player with a great future," Benitez told COPE.

"We brought Casemiro back because we needed that kind of player. He's someone who listens."

Casemiro started Sunday's Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid in a defensive position behind Modric and Kroos.

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Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores Real's opening goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Vicente Calderon Stadium on October 4, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico19135134122244
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona198472725228
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196762123-225
11Osasuna196762328-525
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Getafe194781316-319
16Leganes194781829-1119
17AlavesAlaves1945102131-1017
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Real ValladolidValladolid1943121337-2415
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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