Real Madrid: Three standout players from the 1-0 win over Galatasaray

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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – OCTOBER 22: Ryan Donk (15) of Galatasaray and Federico Valverde (C) of Real Madrid vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Galatasaray and Real Madrid at Turk Telekom Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on October 22, 2019.(Photo by Salih Zeki Fazlioglu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

Fede Valverde

If you were a casual fan watching this match, you would never guess that Fede Valverde is 21-years-old and was making his first Champions League appearances of the season with how assertive he was in the midfield.

The Uruguayan international was stunning working in close quarters with Toni Kroos and Casemiro as he traversed the entire pitch time after time helping out on the attack and making some clinical tackles in the defensive half as well.

Valverde has 55 touches, won four aerials, had three shots, and completed 80 percent of his passes.

That right there is an all around amazing showing. Despite all the running he did, Fede never seemed to tire in his 79 minutes of work and this came after playing nearly 25 minutes against Mallorca on Saturday.

Zidane has a gem of a player in his ranks with Fede Valverde and this looks like it will be the midfielder’s year to break out and receive more responsibility in the squad.

Through seven appearances for Real Madrid thus far this campaign, it is nearly impossible to find something wrong with Valverde’s mentality and style of play. Combined with Casemiro, Real Madrid has two lock down midfielders who can dictate matches.

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