29/09/2025
Fede Valverde breaks Real Madrid’s silence after derby embarrassment
2 hours ago / autty
It was a day that demanded clarity and conviction. What began as a potential trap game quickly became a necessary balm for Real Madrid after their painful defeat at the Metropolitano. Now, with the team looking to reset in Almaty, one voice has risen above the rest: Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder—nicknamed “The Hawk”—is ready to spread his wings again, hoping to rediscover his rhythm against Kairat.
On the match: “We need to flip the script from the other day—come out with a different attitude and win. It’s a chance for a little revenge, to change the energy. The welcome here was unreal. So many Madrid fans were waiting for us—it was crazy.”
On the aftermath of the derby loss: “It hit us hard. Those two days were brutal. We talked a lot—more than I’ve ever seen since joining Madrid. We knew we had to change things fast. The focus was on attitude, on how we carry ourselves on the pitch. We had long talks with the coach too. Tomorrow’s game is the first step toward turning it all around.”
On doubts and Xabi Alonso’s first months in charge: “No doubts. We’ve played a lot of games, but haven’t had much time with Xabi yet. Everyone needs to give 100% to fix things quickly. We’ve lost two tough ones under him, and that’s part of football—but we have to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We need to stick together, on and off the field, to make this a great season.”
Personal form: “I’m a little frustrated. I know how I’m playing—I’m always the first to admit when things aren’t clicking. Players know when they’ve had a bad game. I started strong in this new project, especially at the World Cup—I think I played well there. But lately, it’s been harder to feel comfortable on the field. I’ll keep working. As captain, I’ll keep leading and showing up. I’ll keep pushing forward.”
Playing out wide: “You hear the criticism, and it’s nice to get praise too. But I wasn’t born to play fullback—I didn’t grow up in that role. It was an emergency situation, and doing well made me proud. Still, I’ve always wondered if those games were just lucky nights. I felt okay out wide—we won a lot when I played as a winger. We won a Champions League with me there, and another with me in midfield. I’m always available, willing to learn new positions. But I’m not fully comfortable out wide—it’s not where I developed. I struggle with things like tracking back defensively. But I try to show attitude, and that’s why it works. I grew up in midfield, learned a lot there. Still, I’ve done well out wide, and I’ll play wherever the coach needs me.”
Facing Kairat: “We haven’t done tactical prep for this match yet. The guys who didn’t play against Atleti had their training. We’ve watched a lot of video on Kairat. But the priority has been growing as a team—focusing on ourselves first.”
Rumors of refusing to play fullback: “If I say no, people might think I’m lying. Ask the coach—I’ve always said I’m available. I’ve never refused to play any position. I give my best wherever I’m put. With Ancelotti, Zidane, and now Xabi—I’ve always shared my opinion, but if you’re starting, you embrace it like it’s your last chance. I’ve never said no. It’s strange that rumor’s out there. Playing for Madrid is a privilege. Ask my teammates or the coach—I’m always here for the team, and I’ll always give everything for Real Madrid.”
On Kazakh fans: “This kind of thing is normal at Madrid, but I’d never played here before. It blew my mind. It was late, and we walked out of the airport to see a huge crowd waiting for us. It’s an honor. You have to appreciate moments like that. That’s what football gives you. We’re going to win for those fans.”
Real Madrid’s attitude in the derby: “In games like that, you don’t need locker room speeches to get fired up. What happened can’t happen—not at Madrid, not anywhere. You have to be motivated for every match, especially a derby. We can mess up a lot of things, but attitude isn’t negotiable. It’s the first thing that shows you want to win. In the second half, we came out like a draw was good enough. That has to change—starting now. As a leader on this team, I have to help us move past that and treat this match as a chance to grow.”
