Real Madrid vs. PSG: 3 players who must step up with Toni Kroos out injured
1. CM Federico Valverde
Fede Valverde had just hit his best form of the season in February. He was an undeniable star in the midfield in terms of the improvements he had shown in the month. That is what we fans had been complaining about, giving the players their due minutes. Opportunities were scarce to come at Valverde but the moment he found some regular chances just look at the impact he created.
And as we talk about opportunities, here comes the big one. To start in place of Toni Kroos against PSG in the Champions League game where Los Blancos need to come back from behind. Things don’t get any more heated than this for a young player who has just hit his best form in the season and who has been struggling for minutes under a new manager.
Valverde lives for rivalry games and the relationship that PSG and Real Madrid have going on isn’t anything short of a rivalry. They have played a few times in the Champions League earlier with Real Madrid enjoying a better head-to-head record with three wins compared to PSG’s two, per UEFA’s website. Moreover, the off-pitch battle for Kylian Mbappe has forever been a distinguishing factor between the two clubs. If Valverde does end up creating the difference, it could be a big boost in his Real Madrid career.
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There is no denying the fact that Valverde bleeds for the club and he’ll put in his hundred percent in season-defining games. He has the legs to run with the speedy Parisians and he is a much-underrated play-maker. We saw how the first leg at Paris was a game tailor-made for a player like him. Alas, he didn’t get his chance there, thanks to Carlo Ancelotti. But as they say, footballing gods will shine on those who deserve the light. Valverde’s biggest opportunity to date has come knocking at his door. All he needs to do is make the most out of it and be the difference-maker. Madridistas know what their young Uruguayan tank is capable of, it’s about time for the world to take note.