'I wanted to smash it' - Casemiro practiced Napoli stunner

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro revealed he had been practicing long-range efforts like the stunning goal he scored against Napoli in the Champions League.

The Brazilian sealed the holders' 3-1 win on Wednesday with a tremendous strike at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Casemiro produced a spectacular 30-yard volley after a clearance fell to him in the 54th minute of Madrid's win.

The 24-year-old said it was the type of strike he had been practicing.

"I've been practicing those kinds of shots a lot," Casemiro said, via Marca.

"They're important because of my position on the pitch."

Casemiro said he simply wanted to generate as much power as he could when the clearance came his way.

"I'm lost for words," he told UEFA.

"When I struck the ball I wanted to smash it, for the game, for the fans, for the Bernabeu. I love to play here, I can't say any more than that."

Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos also scored for Madrid after Lorenzo Insigne gave Napoli a surprise lead.

The second leg is in Naples on March 7.