If Rafa Benítez had to go to war, Casemiro would undoubtedly be a member of his platoon. The Brazilian played the full 90 minutes against AC Milan and did the grunt work asked of him by his coach that the more highly decorated players shirk away from. He swept up everything in the centre of the pitch. He was omnipresent and flawless.
He played alongside Luka Modric to begin with and then with Toni Kroos after the interval, but his job was the same. He never hesitated. If he had to make a tackle, he made it. If he had to commit a foul, he committed one. If he had to work his socks off, he did that too.
Benítez gave him the windscreen wiper assignment in the middle of the park. He went from left to right and back again, stopping Milan in their tracks based on good positioning and industry. He never tired of cutting short the Italian side's forward moves and made the midfield his own.
Although Casemiro began training after the rest of his teammates, he has quickly become one of Benítez's most reliable players. The Brazilian played his first game against Manchester City, featuring for the entire second half. He began by partnering Kroos and then Marcos Llorente, playing a vital role in providing intensity and cohesion to the team when the match threatened to open up.
Casemiro has more than proved his worth to the coach. After shining in the first half of the tour, he will now be tested in the Audi Cup and, after that, the opening games of La Liga. Based on what we have seen so far, it does not look like the Brazilian will be a bit-part player for much longer.
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