---
title: "Unsung Hero: Real Madrid’s Casemiro repeatedly broke up Galatasaray’s momentum"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/unsung-hero-real-madrids-casemiro-repeatedly-broke-up-galatasarays-momentum/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Features"
published: "2019-10-23T19:50:36Z"
modified: "2019-10-23T19:50:36Z"
---

# Unsung Hero: Real Madrid’s Casemiro repeatedly broke up Galatasaray’s momentum

**Real Madrid came out on the right side of a 1-0 win away to Galatasaray in their Champions League group stage encounter last night thanks to a first-half goal from Toni Kroos.**

It was a [first win in the competition this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/real-madrid/spielplan/verein/418) for Zinedine Zidane’s side following their matchday one hammering by Paris Saint-Germain and the subsequent home draw against Club Brugge, lifting them up to [second in Group A behind runaway leaders PSG](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/standings/).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Unsung-heros.png)

Although the visitors had far more shots on the night ([26 to 11](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1426894/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2019-2020-Galatasaray-Real-Madrid)), their failure to score more than one goal meant that the game was in the balance throughout, with Fernando Muslera’s [11 saves](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1426894/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2019-2020-Galatasaray-Real-Madrid) helping to keep Galatasaray in the contest.

While Kroos came up with the match-winning moment, one of his midfield partners was instrumental in helping Real Madrid to a much-needed victory.

Casemiro repeatedly broke up play in the middle of the park, ending the game with six successful tackles, three interceptions and five successful aerial duels. \[[via WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1426894/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2019-2020-Galatasaray-Real-Madrid)\]

He was composed when in possession of the ball, his tally of 46 successful passes second only to Kroos among Zidane’s line-up, while he also broke forward on occasion to record four shots, one of which was on target. \[[via WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1426894/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2019-2020-Galatasaray-Real-Madrid)\]

Some reporters acknowledged the contribution of the 27-year-old in Istanbul last night. [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1194252/Real-Madrid-player-ratings-Galatasaray-Kroos-Courtois-Rodrygo-Champions-League) reporter Ben Pringle wrote: “The Brazilian is so valuable to Real on nights like this, screening the back four diligently and breaking up opposition attacks before they get going.”

Sam Sharpe of [Managing Madrid](https://www.managingmadrid.com/2019/10/23/20927669/champions-league-player-ratings-galatasary-0-1-real-madrid) said: “A figure like Casemiro is so important in a game as vital and as messy as this”, adding that “the Brazilian’s bulldozing challenges often kept Galatasaray from creating real danger on the break”.

[Sport 360](https://sport360.com/article/football/real-madrid/337103/galatasaray-0-1-real-madrid-player-ratings-as-toni-kroos-and-thibaut-courtois-star)‘s Andy West described the midfielder’s performance as “solid and steady” and awarded him a rating of seven.

On a nervy night for Real Madrid, the tireless work of Casemiro in nullifying the attacking movement of Galatasaray provided an unglamorous yet crucial platform for a narrow victory which gave them some overdue satisfaction from a Champions League night.

***Real Madrid fans, how vital was Casemiro’s performance in the win over Galatasaray? Comment below with your views!***