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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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