Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde led his Real Madrid side to a resounding 3–0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, deservedly earning the Man of the Match award after scoring all three of Los Blancos’ goals.
In an exclusive interview with Movistar Plus, Valverde expressed his immense joy, saying:
“It was a fantastic night. I haven’t enjoyed a performance like this in a long time. I thank my teammates, who give me the confidence and the ability to focus, as well as the coaching staff and everyone who has supported us throughout the season.”
Praise for the Goalkeeping Hero: Courtois
Valverde praised his teammate Thibaut Courtois, saying:
“I don’t like comparisons, but I’ve never seen anything like his level. There have been great goalkeepers in history, but what we see from him now is something special. He gives us an extra edge in every match.”
Arbeloa Key to Valverde’s Attacking Runs
Valverde confirmed that Real Madrid’s players greatly helped him reach the opposition’s penalty area:
“Arbeloa asked me to push forward from deep and take part in the attack. Today we had more players controlling the ball. Their passes were perfect, and I’m grateful to them.”
With this performance, Valverde has put Real Madrid in a strong position ahead of the second leg, confirming that he is enjoying one of the best periods of his career and aiming to continue his impressive form in the Champions League.
