Real Madrid star Fede Valverde has declared that he was disappointed with their 3-3 draw against Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu. The pair will face off in a winner-takes-all clash next Wednesday in Manchester.
While he was pleased with the goal he scored, rescuing a draw for Los Blancos, Valverde seemed largely unimpressed with the result.
“It gives you a little encouragement for the return leg. We were looking for victory. The draw seems like last year, as if it were a defeat. But we have to continue and thank the people for how they have supported us and we are going to fight for our number one objective.”
Asked about their early concession of a free-kick to Bernardo Silva, Valverde praised their ability to react to the setback.
“The important thing is that we knew how to counter their goal. We were able to score two goals in just a few minutes and it gave us a lot of encouragement and motivation to keep pressing. But we rested a little, we stopped pressing due to fatigue and they scored a goal,” he told Movistar+, as recounted by Cadena SER.
The Uruguayan admitted that Real Madrid struggled to maintain their energy levels in the second half, in spite of the fact they have had nine days of rest.
Meanwhile Rodrygo Goes was pleased with how Real Madrid’s fresh tactical shift worked, and explained it was about playing a clean game next week.
“I think they were not expecting me on the left, because Vinicius is always there. We put in place a new tactic and it has worked out well for us. We are going to think about next week. We knew about their quality. We made a mistake there. We have to win in Manchester. Everything is open and whoever makes the fewest mistakes in Manchester will pass,” said the Brazilian.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti seemed relatively satisfied with how his side had played for the most part, even if he no doubt have rathered a victory. With Real Mallorca to come between the two legs, the question will be whether Real Madrid can maintain their energy levels at the Etihad with even less rest.
