Nothing can stop Fede Valverde
The Uruguayan midfielder has completed an unbeatable start to the season, full of minutes and importance in the centre of the white midfield
That is all that Fede Valverde has missed (879 minutes completed out of the 900 possible minutes) in this start to the season for Real Madrid. All of them as a starter and with only one stint on the bench, that change against Alavés with the score at 3-0 that was on the verge of becoming a. As things stand, the Uruguayan midfielder has become an indispensable piece for Ancelotti’s midfield and the field player with the most minutes in the five major European leagues.
His positional versatility makes him unique for the Italian. And it is that Fede is not only capable of playing different roles, but he executes them with a very high note, both individually and collectively. He is and will always be a team player who doesn’t care about the spotlights, even if they almost always end up pointing at him, especially when the hourglass of the match empties the top container. There, the Uruguayan becomes invincible to give the white fans a feeling that is difficult to understand. When the rest of the players lose steam, the number 8 increases the intensity in all his actions.
“We started the season united and with a lot of humility, something that I think is key to achieving this year’s objectives, with the whole team pulling in the same direction,” explained Valverde about a dressing room that has things clear and that knows that it will end up finding the key to the game. And in the longest season in the history of Madrid, one in which they can win 7 titles, Ancelotti is clear that it seems essential to carry out an exclusive rest plan. He gives his stars a dose of energy, especially those who travel with their national teams, and rotates more than ever with everyone… except Valverde, with whom he has not dared to dispense with his services in a single match.
As a pivot, he gives the team balance in the attacking phase and surprises in the development of the play by making few touches to give fluidity to the game. In addition, his great long has become one of his hallmarks. And as an inside midfielder, Fede breaks pressure lines thanks to his physique to decipher the defensive devices of the rivals. A position that helped him to enter the area with great ease and that has now changed to give the team more presence in the development zone. “He is starting to be a leader in the locker room, as he should be. Being behind great professionals, he has to take the position that Kroos, Casemiro, Nacho had… he is an example,” confessed Carlo. And the fact is that in football everything changes, except Fede’s level. Always tall no matter what role he is asked to play.
Against Atlético, the number 8 once again offered an unbeatable version that earned him the MVP of the match, both inside and outside (nice gesture to a red-and-white fan after accidentally hitting her with the ball during the warm-up). Not even the he caught before the match, one that attacked his defenders, prevented him from performing at the highest level in the first derby of the season. Valverde was the player who recovered the most balls, the one who shot the most, the one who completed the most passes satisfactorily, the most passes in the final third and the one who won the most tackles. Little more to add.
