Real Madrid secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, with dynamic midfielder Fede Valverde delivering a standout performance. The Uruguayan international was the architect of their success, netting all three goals in the first half to achieve the first hat-trick of his professional career.
Speaking to Movistar+ after the match, Valverde expressed immense joy following what he called a “special night” for himself and the team. “It’s incredible; you dream of nights like this,” he stated, attributing his success to the collective effort. He extended his gratitude to his teammates for their confidence, the coaching staff, and the unwavering support of the fans, especially during a challenging season. He confirmed it was “the best match of my career,” particularly due to his goal-scoring heroics, adding, “I really enjoyed today. It had been a long time since I enjoyed myself this way.”
Valverde detailed his tactical approach, explaining, “I tried to play in a more attacking role. That’s what the coach asks of me, that I come from the second line, that I attack. Today we had many more players with the ball and I tried to attack more. My teammates gave me incredible assists, and I thank them for that.”
Valverde on Real Madrid’s Teamwork and Game Plan
Beyond his attacking masterclass, Valverde highlighted the team’s defensive cohesion, which secured a clean sheet. He emphasized the importance of unity: “We have to treat each other as brothers, defend each other, help each other, watch each other’s backs. You can tell if the team is united, if we work together we can win great things. The last minutes we were tired, but the team kept working.”
Valverde Looks Ahead to the Return Leg
Despite Real Madrid holding a significant three-goal advantage, making them strong favorites to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals, Valverde remains grounded. He stressed the need for vigilance ahead of the upcoming match at the Etihad Stadium. “We know that in Manchester it is very difficult; they press a lot, their fans get behind their team,” he cautioned. “We have to go there as if it is still 0-0 and work well.”
