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#2 Federico Valverde
Real Madrid's defense may have their work cut out for them, but the midfield has an even bigger mountain to climb.
Manchester City is known to rely heavily on their midfield, combining silky passing and fluid positioning to completely negate the opposition's press. With Federico Valverde on the pitch, they may not find it very easy.
It may well be the case that Zidane decides to field the tried and tested trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos against Manchester City, but Federico Valverde has proved time and time again that he belongs on the pitch in the white of Real Madrid.
Primarily a box-to-box midfielder who can play either with Modric and Kroos or behind them, Valverde's ability to combine technical ability with tenacity has served him well in the top flight. Exemplary performances in both La Liga and the Champions League have convinced Zidane to make the 21-year-old Uruguayan a regular in his teams.
Manchester City's midfield, led by David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, might just be the toughest test of Valverde's career. There is no better stage than a Champions League knockout game to prove that you belong with the very best.
