This article is part of Football FanCast's In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets...

Real Madrid recorded a 1-0 win over Galatasaray on Tuesday.

In many ways, seeing how they've only tallied one point in the previous two Champions League clashes, this game was already a must-win match for Los Blancos, and especially for Zinedine Zidane.

But as it so often happens, the Galacticos show up when you either least expect them to or when you know they absolutely have to. When push comes to shove, you can count on Real.

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With those three points in hand, the club now have four in total and they are currently second in the table behind PSG.

But apart from the victory itself, Zidane can be extremely happy with the performance of their Castilla product, Federico Valverde.

By now, the 21-year-old ace is a well-known figure within the Galacticos' squad. After all, a lot has been said about his sudden emergence and in many ways, he does represent the future of Real's midfield.

That much we saw the other night as he dominated the proceedings in the middle of the park alongside Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

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Valverde was a breath of fresh air, working hard in both attack and defence.

As a result, he recorded three shots, two key passes and one cross under his belt in the process. He was proactive, energetic and yet composed and calm on the ball with 79.6% passing accuracy mustered through 44 passes in total on the night.

Of course, his defensive contribution rounded off an excellent display overall as he also registered one interception and four aerial duels won.

Not to mention that he didn't commit any fouls and was fouled once himself.

By all standards, Valverde embraced this chance given to him by Zidane with both hands and this was, more than anything else, a huge statement display that should make the Frenchman question his standard starting XI throughout the season.

The 21-year-old might be a prospect for the future but he's showing that he is ready for the here and now as well.

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