Fede Valverde needed such a match. The Uruguayan has made that clear in the most difficult moments is when he pulls out his claws and shows his best level. It happened to him at the Club World Cup, a tournament where he arrived at the beginning of 2023 after a difficult start, both sportingly and personally, and he showed it again on Wednesday after a few difficult days after the attack on Alex Baena. of last Saturday and the subsequent statements and messages published on social networks.
It had to be, just like last season, in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League and against Chelsea when Fede Valverde proved his worth. Last year he went from a luxury substitute to the undisputed starter in a game that was met with doubt after Barcelona’s 0-4 draw at the Bernabéu and this year he’s not been talked about due to non-sporting issues but about it. his performance on the field.
Last Wednesday, Valverde showed personality and delivered one of his best performances since joining Real Madrid. Some may think that Fede is the footballer of the first leg of the season or of the Club World Cup, when the goals were scored, but the real Fede Valverde is the one from last night. Yes, of course he can score, but the Uruguayan is dedication, character, strength and resistance. Against Chelsea he was everywhere, recovering heaps of balls (10) so the team could loosen up and find spaces easier.
At times it seemed as if Real Madrid were playing with twelve or thirteen players. Valverde achieved everything and moreover he not only proved to be effective off the ball, he was also very inspired with the ball: He hit 70 of 77 passes, 55 of them into the opposing field, just two short of Modric and Kroos (57). In addition, he was the football player who gave the most ball contacts of the entire team (93).
A scandalous meeting that comes after a few very difficult days in which madridismo has not only kept its affection and confidence in the player, but redoubled it. This Wednesday, the Bernabéu shouted his name more than any other as the line-up went and before the first whistle and in the 15th minute they chanted his name as a clear sign of support. A gesture that Valverde appreciated and that he will not forget.
Source: Goal