Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Valencia

CM Fede Valverde

Another center midfielder in need of a big performance at the Alfred Di Stefano on Thursday night, Fede Valverde should be 100 percent after not playing a key role in the Eibar game. Valverde has consistently been a standout for Real Madrid in their biggest games this season, picking up Man of the Match honors against the likes of FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Mature beyond the age of 21, Valverde is a relentless force in the center of the park for Los Blancos. He has no shortage of technical quality and athletic ability, and his ball recoveries will be a major key to victory against Valencia.

Valverde is a great candidate to be the Man of the Match. Geoffrey Kondogbia and Dani Parejo are two of La Liga’s best midfielders, but they will stand no chance if the Uruguayan is at his best.

GK Thibaut Courtois

While Thibaut Courtois could be criticized for the goal he allowed against Eibar, he did come up with some big saves that initially seemed to keep the clean sheet. Courtois’ concentration and reflexes make him one of Europe’s top keepers, which is a distinction he’s reclaimed after a spotty debut season in Madrid that was more due to circumstance than individual quality.

In Real’s last match against Valencia, Courtois played well and even set up Karim Benzema’s tying goal in the dying embers of stoppage time. Courtois will need to make some more big saves on Thursday when Rodrigo Moreno, Maxi Gomez, and Ferran Torres come into town.