Real Madrid have a new captain in Casemiro

With nine absences to deal with and two winter departures, Real Madrid have managed to stay in the fight for the LaLiga Santander title.

It's been nothing short of a miracle that they've kept themselves in the race, and they picked up three more points away to Real Valladolid on Saturday night thanks to a Casemiro header.

Thibaut Courtois had to make three big saves, but the Brazilian was the best defender, midfielder, and forward on the pitch for Los Blancos.

Despite the three points, Real Madrid were made to suffer, and they could be in for a tough night when they visit Bergamo in the Champions League next week, as Atalanta are a better team than Valladolid, and have more harmful weapons in their arsenal.

Courtois' saves have defined Real Madrid's recent games. In 2019/20, and this season as well, the Belgian has had to make a big save in, more or less, every game.

He has overcome his tough start in the capital and is now undoubtedly one of the very best goalkeepers in the world, and he showed that again on Saturday with some big interventions.

Luckily, Real Madrid have Casemiro. The Brazilian scored a captain's goal on the night, filling in for Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema to seal the points.

He offered defensive support, he played as a midfielder, and he finished off the game's only goal in a complete performance.

It wouldn't be fair to blame Mariano Diaz with Real Madrid's problems in front of goal, but he was caught offside twice when he had the ball in the net.

Had he been more attentive, he would have had two goals and Valladolid would have been out of sight.

The backup forward is likely to start in Bergamo, just like he did in Milan against Inter.

Real Madrid's situation isn't normal. Zinedine Zidane has nine players out with injury, and he's unlikely to have any of them back before flying to Bergamo.

Perhaps Fede Valverde will make the squad, and Benzema wants to but his inclusion would be a miracle at this stage.

So, Zidane is likely to head to Italy with a bench full of Castilla players.