Federico Valverde was once again at the heart of Real Madrid’s midfield in the two-all draw in a UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Uruguayan started alongside Toni Kroos and Casemiro in the middle of the park and put in a good shift in a match that Madrid threw away a two-goal lead to settle for a point and in the process lost a chance to top the group.
Karim Benzema had given Madrid a two-goal cushion after finishing the back of the net in the 17th and 79th minutes but Kylian Mbappe and Pablo Sarabia found the back of the net in the 81st and 83rd minutes to earn PSG a share of the spoils in the game
Valverde has been one of the revelations for Coach Zinedine Zidane this season. He has been performing well in nearly all the matches that he has featured in this season and Tuesday night was no different. In the 75 minutes that he was on the pitch, he managed 65 touches, created two chances, completed two dribbles, won three duels, tackled successfully three times and managed seven interceptions.
It’s no coincidence that when coach Zidane took him off in the 75th minute, the record European champions ended up conceding two quick-fire goals at home. As he walked off the pitch, he was given a standing ovation by Madrid fans and fans on social media too were quick to praise the 22-year old who is slowly becoming a fans’ favorite.
Federico Valverde is subbed off after 75 minutes to a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabéu crowd.
A huge night for the young midfielder, who stood out in his first big European night. It won't be his last. pic.twitter.com/jlgSiJ7hh4
— Warriors of Uruguay (@UruguayanHeroes) November 26, 2019
Real Madrid Federico Valverde is a joy to watch. #bbcfootball
— Hasan Anfield (@tambuwaal) November 26, 2019
Federico Valverde v Paris Saint-Germain:
3 dribbles completed
2 key passes
3 tackles won
3 interceptions
1 aerial duel wonComplete midfield performance.
— Kaustubh Pandey (@Kaus_Pandey17) November 26, 2019
As soon as Federico Valverde got subbed off, 2 goals score
.
📝 pic.twitter.com/hzIfyJywPH— Uncle_Hak$ (@Sabali_Rebel) November 27, 2019
Federico Valverde is another player who has impressed me tonight. He’s an underrated passer and a good ball winner whose importance in the team is constantly improving. He’s also completed 3 dribbles in this game which suggests his ball carrying is developing too! (1-0)#RMAPSG
— Football Chatters (@FootballChat555) November 26, 2019
FEDERICO VALVERDE is a fucking revelation 🔥
— Alarcon ⚡ (@IbrahimGD7) November 26, 2019
A costly mistake for Madrid in substituting Federico Valverde. #RMAPSG
— Live Love Laugh. (@Sbo_Motha) November 26, 2019
The brightest star of this game has been Federico Valverde. He's having one of those games where everything he does is working, ball winning, ball progressing, passing, everything.
— Ishan (@ishan_MUFC) November 26, 2019
ON: Luka Modric
OFF: Federico ValverdeStanding ovation for Fede! They’re chanting his name!
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) November 26, 2019
Federico Valverde’s first half vs. PSG by numbers:
83% pass accuracy
most interceptions (3)
2/2 tackles
1/1 take-onWining the ball in dangerous areas. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/o7OrInX6kX
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 26, 2019
Federico Valverde comes off and we concede twice. Coincidence? I think not. Absolutely immense 👑 pic.twitter.com/2d0mLn2rOp
— Puskás (@aquemaniac) November 26, 2019
Federico Valverde vs PSG
76 minutes
46 passes
89% pass accuracy
2 key passes
3 dribbles won
3 tackles won
3 interceptions
1 aerial wonAbsolutely top-class player already with world-class potential. Bernabeu's standing ovation well deserved. 🇺🇾⚪️ pic.twitter.com/3pNYfSUmVZ
— FootballTalentScout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) November 26, 2019
Federico Valverde is a decent player for Real Madrid .
— 🄱🄾🄻🄸🄽🄶🄾🄻🄸 1917 (@j_okoth_) November 27, 2019
A standing ovation, and Valverde chants from the Bernabeu. And rightly so, one of the main reasons why we transformed since that Mallorca horror performance. Federico Valverde. The truth.
— Rk (@RkFutbol) November 26, 2019