Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde spoke to the media ahead of the El Clasico Supercopa final on Sunday. He was asked primarily about the number of minutes he has played this season, about which he said: “I am happy to be able to continue playing matches, especially as a starter. I am very happy to have the coach’s trust. In the Cup we agreed that I could play 45 minutes and everyone was happy. I continue to add matches and try to leave my mark at Madrid, at the best club in the world. I am proud to listen to my parents. It is very nice. I will have time to rest in July, God willing.”
Valverde on the match vs Barcelona
“Another final. We are coming in with a lot of confidence after the first few months that weren’t so good. We are excited to win.”
Valverde on the game’s importance
“Yes, the trophy is very important, especially because of the confidence it gives you. After six tough months, the hardest part remains: fighting for the titles. Obviously, the rival is very special.”
Valverde on post-match recovery after Mallorca
“Rest. Above all. We don’t have much else to do. I’m away from the children, having to play with them 24 hours a day is what’s most tiring. Taking advantage of the quietness of the room. It strengthens us a lot as a group. We have everything we need to do well. People try to give their best so that we can give our best.”
Valverde on Pau Victor and Dani Olmo
“What is not my business is not mine. My duty is to defend Madrid, my club. If I put myself in their situation, it is hard, it is difficult. As a player, you always want to play. It is difficult to train knowing that you cannot play. It is the passion we have, to be able to play. It must be hard. The important thing is that they continue training, to prepare. It is not nice for a player to go through these moments.”
Valverde on comments by his wife to Ancelotti after Milan
“The important thing is that there was never any conflict between him and me. Since I don’t use social media, it was a complete surprise for me. The coach always wants the best for me, for the team. And the same goes for my wife at home. I can’t take anyone’s side. Both sides defended what they love the most. The coach defended the team and my partner defended me, I’m the father of her children. The important thing is that we are honest and sincere. After the game we didn’t talk at all, because I didn’t know. Afterwards we did have a chat. But I wasn’t angry. You always have to respect what the coach, the boss, says. You have to continue being a reference for the team.”
Valverde on scoring goals and tackling Morata
“It’s very difficult to score more goals than any Madrid striker. I try to do my duty, what I have to do on the pitch. Try to contribute what the team needs. I’m not going to give an opinion on whether Morata’s performance is good or bad. At that time I did that, it was the best thing for the team. I’ll stick with that.”
Valverde on Mbappe’s offsides against Barça
“I can’t give him lessons, he’s one of the best. He’ll know what to do. Obviously we’re worried. Barça do very well with the high line. Especially the midfielders and the defenders who give the passes.”
Valverde on the fight vs Mallorca
“These are things in football, they can happen. When you lose, you are angry, you are upset. These are different situations, after 90 minutes of running, you can say the first thing that comes to mind. These are things in football, they happened on both sides. It’s all there, it’s football. It’s all there and we have to face another final.”
Valverde on the loss to Barcelona in October
“It was tough. It was hard to sleep. In the first half we had opportunities to score and it gives you confidence. They came out better in the second half. We didn’t do things well or perfectly and that hurt us. That gave us a lot of strength to move forward and gave us the strength to be the team we are today.”
Valverde on the Morata jokes
“As for Morata, my name grew from that moment on. Some people remind me of him, sometimes it’s funny. The important thing is that I’m still here and that’s nice. And after the defeats, after so many titles, it was good for us to lose and change that situation. To continue being the same, working with humility and strengthening the group. Sharing other things that we didn’t do before and that benefited us.”
