Carlo Ancelotti highlights Real Madrid’s ‘key player’ in win over Athletic Club | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has moved to make clear his appreciation for the efforts of one particular member of his midfield ranks in the club’s latest outing.

The player in question? Federico Valverde.

Uruguayan international Valverde is for his part of course fresh off another outing to remember on Sunday night.

Afforded a starting berth in Real Madrid’s La Liga meeting with Athletic Club, the 26-year-old kept alive Real Madrid’s hopes of hunting down table-topping Barcelona.

This came by way of a stunning injury-time winner, a volleyed effort into the far top corner of Athletic’s goal.

Speaking to the media on the back of his side’s return to winning ways, it therefore came as little surprise when Carlo Ancelotti made use of the opportunity to praise Valverde.

After being spotted making a beeline for the all-action midfielder following the full-time whistle at the Santiago Bernabéu, Los Blancos’ headmaster admitted:

“We played a good 2nd half [as a team]. But Valverde was the key player.”

Conor Laird – GSFN