Valverde appeared in a press conference ahead of the match against Manchester City, corresponding to the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, which will be played at the Bernabéu (9:00 pm CEST; Orange TV and Movistar Liga de Campeones): “An incredible match. Any Real Madrid player and any child aspiring to play football would love to play this kind of match. We are very excited and mentally confident after the victory the other day, which was very important to approach this game well. We know how important it is to have the fans on our side; with them, everything is much easier. We need them. Each of the players who get the chance to play must try to give their best. Everyone needs to contribute their part for such an important match, and I believe that way we will achieve great results.”

“Mbappé is a very important player for us, but right now we are preparing for the match and focusing on what we have worked on these days and ensuring that the player who plays gives their best. We need everyone in this type of match. It is very important that we all give one hundred percent in both defense and attack to achieve a good result for the return leg.”

Would it be an injury outside of Spain?
“I will speak for myself. Here I have everything, and Real Madrid is the best club in the world. For me, the best people are here. I would always be willing to improve here. I also trust those inside the club; I have someone who is my right hand within the club. He is a physio whom I trust with my body, and I leave all the options to what he believes, so I am very calm. My mind has been on Manchester City since the day the match against Celta ended. We are focused on giving our best. We need to play tomorrow's match with the utmost enthusiasm so it can be a great night.”

Is the team committed?
“Everyone, from the first player and member of the coaching staff to the last. Here we are giving everything every day to improve things and make the fans proud that we have given our all on the pitch. They need to be proud when we do things right. The coaching staff is giving their best so that all the players are happy and things go in the best way possible. We are all pulling in the same direction, we are very united and working to the maximum.”

Performance of the academy players
“I am happy that opportunities are being given to the youngsters. They are working spectacularly in training. They work hard, they run, and that is to be appreciated, that they come with enthusiasm and pride in the jersey they wear. That is very beautiful and speaks well of them. Whenever they are given an opportunity, they should do it in the best possible way. At the moment, Thiago is playing the most, and he is doing well. But I always emphasize that they should be humble off the pitch, be good people, train well, and be good role models for the academy players who might come in the future.”

Role in ball distribution
“I try to adapt to the ideas of the coach or the coaching staff. I have had to play in many positions. I have not always played in midfield, so I always try to contribute and give my best wherever the coach wants. Sometimes he wants me to be open on the field and receive the ball to move forward with the right-back, with the winger… Sometimes I play in the middle and provide defensive support, other times a bit freer to attack and score or assist. I try to adapt, I like it. I value simply being in the team's starting lineup. That was fundamental for me, and after that, I adapt to what the team needs and give my best wherever it may be.”

Feeling of revenge from Manchester
“We approach the match with great excitement and motivation. The match we played this season at the Bernabéu, we were doing a great job until they turned the game around. After that, we did not play a proper game; I think they dominated us once they were ahead. We have worked a lot these days, especially on offense. We need to know what each player has to do. We have also worked defensively to stay united, which is essential. Many times this year, we have not had all eleven players defending. At this moment, we are fine and know what we have to do, focused. We need to get a good result because the second leg is still to come. These matches are tough, and we need to be physically and, above all, mentally prepared.”

How to stop Semenyo
“They are a great team; from the goalkeeper to the striker, they are all world-class. They have good dynamics and know how to play. We must be cautious with all the players, but I always like to focus on what we do. We need to be prepared and united with the fans to get a good result tomorrow.”

Preparation
“We must try to train to the maximum and always be ready for the team. There are good and bad moments in football. As a reference, one must always be available for the team. With pain and injuries, I always try to give my best so that my teammate feels proud of what Valverde represents. To have a brother on the field who knows he will defend them to the end. Always ready to help teammates in defense, attack, or even off the field. You always have to be there to have someone to rely on.”

How they approach the match
“It is a somewhat different match from the one we faced before. Now there is the first leg and the second leg, and that changes things a lot. It is very important to get a good result tomorrow to go into the second leg more calmly, as we will play away with their fans, and that changes things quite a bit. We are focused on what we have worked on these days. These have been days of very hard work, focused on what we need to do. We must try not to let the same thing happen as in the previous match, which slipped away due to our mistakes. Prepared to get a good result tomorrow and make sure things go well.”

Locker room atmosphere
“The result we got the other day helped us a lot to be in a better mood. We needed a match like that and to win. We must keep improving in terms of play and improving personally as players. We are winning matches, but sometimes not with the best possible play. We needed to win to come into this match with excitement and a different energy. Everyone in the locker room knows what we are facing. These have been tough months for us; we are aware of that. We have all worked to the maximum and twice as hard as before to turn the season around. Hopefully, we can finish the season on a high note. We must stay focused on what each person has to do and bet on the team. That is how I think we can achieve titles by the end of the season.”

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.