MX23RW : Wednesday, February 5 04:09:59| >> :60:242:242:

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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Matt Law
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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid22154350212949
2Atletico MadridAtletico22146237142348
3Barcelona22143560243645
4Athletic Bilbao22118333201341
5Villarreal22107544331137
6Rayo Vallecano228862624232
7GironaGirona229493130131
8Osasuna227962731-430
9Mallorca2293101928-930
10Real BetisBetis227872528-329
11Real Sociedad2284101819-128
12Sevilla227782430-628
13Celta Vigo2274113135-425
14Getafe225981717024
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2265112736-923
16Leganes225891930-1123
17Espanyol2265112133-1223
18AlavesAlaves2256112534-921
19Valencia2247112237-1519
20Real ValladolidValladolid2243151547-3215


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