Casemiro returned and Real Madrid returned with him Real Madrid Back in the XI

Casemiro returned for Real Madrid's match against Osasuna at El Sadar on Sunday afternoon and with it, Los Blancos were back to their best.

His absence brought Real Madrid's messiest game of the season against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey, and their loss highlighted just how central a role he plays under Zinedine Zidane.

Casemiro spoke after the win over Osasuna and praised the team's mentality.

"We knew what the game was about," the midfielder said.

"They pressed us a lot in the first 15 minutes and then we had control.

"It played out as we expected. We controlled the game well."

Zidane tried to rotate in midweek against La Real, but Casemiro defended the coach's decisions.

"It was a complicated game and we were eliminated," he stated.

"We've shown we can fight for everything and the coach has always been clear that this is his way of doing things.

"It's the way to win trophies, to make everyone important."

There's no doubting that Casemiro brings balance to Real Madrid.

He already has four goals this season, and he knows when to contribute with a strike.

Zidane rarely rests the Brazilian, and that's not likely to change between now and the end of the season.