Real Madrid: The 5 best individual games at October break

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MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 05: Federico Valverde of FC Real Madrid controls the ball during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Granada CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 5, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Fede Valverde vs. Granada

Ferland Mendy’s game against Villarreal and James Rodriguez’s brilliant display against Levante deserve shoutouts, but the final spot should go to Fede Valverde’s breakout performance against Granada.

Valverde played a role in the three straight clean sheets that Los Blancos recorded in September, but he never truly stood out in any of those games. But he looked like a star against Granada, dominating the midfield alongside Casemiro.

Real’s first three goals, which gave the home side a 3-0 lead over a Granada team that came into this match in second in La Liga, all came as a result of ball recoveries made by Valverde. If that doesn’t say “impact”, then what does?

Valverde had a hard-fought assist for Eden Hazard’s first goal in a Real Madrid jersey, which came from a wonderful chip of Granada keeper Rui Silva. And Valverde added three shots of his own with three dribbles completed, whereas Granada’s midfielders stood no chance at dribbling past an inspired Valverde on the ground.

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The hard-working, young Uruguayan midfielder was the Man of the Match in this 4-2 win, finishing with a season-high three tackles. Real Madrid fans are excited to see what Valverde can do going forward this year, as he could be Real’s biggest breakout star.

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