In the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid hosted Manchester City and secured a convincing 3-0 victory. The absolute hero of the evening was Federico Valverde: he scored a hat-trick, deciding the outcome of the match in the first half. After the game, he didn't hide his feelings and shared important thoughts about both the team, the fans, and the upcoming return match.
Valverde stated that this evening seemed like a real dream for him:
"It was an incredible night. Everyone always dreams of such games. I thank my teammates who have placed their trust in me. I'm also grateful to the coaching staff and all the fans who are supporting us despite the difficult season," said the Uruguayan midfielder.
He openly admitted that this was his strongest game in terms of goals. Valverde emphasized that he felt free on the pitch and enjoyed the game greatly, adding, "I haven't felt this kind of feeling in a long time." But he didn't forget the main point right there: the most important thing is not the personal result, but the team's victory.
From Valverde's words, it's clear that he places particular emphasis on frequently joining the attack - the coach demands precisely this. He cited the fact that there were many players on the field who had good ball control, as the reason for his more forward play in this match. That is, while the ball is held "behind," it tries to join the attack and appear at the decisive point. Valverde also praised the quality of his teammates' passes.
Regarding tactics, he said they had thoroughly studied City's personal pressing technique for kicks. According to Valverde, Real Madrid moved quickly in attack and capitalized on this pressure. He also strongly emphasized the collective spirit: treating each other like brothers, acting as one body and soul is the key to great results.
The most interesting part is his statement about the answer debate. Valverde emphasized that playing for Manchester is always difficult, and that City fans are very passionate and impressive. Nevertheless, he firmly stated that his team should prepare for the return match as if the score was 0:0, without being deceived by 3:0. This is both caution and professionalism: even a big advantage in the playoffs can melt away in an instant.
In short, Valverde appeared as the "leader" this evening not only with his goals but also with his mood and thoughts. Real Madrid did a great job in Madrid, but as the Uruguayan star said, the real test is in Manchester. Now there's one question: can Real Madrid bring this spirit and speed to the second leg?
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