Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has tried to express in words a concept that most people know – for some reason, the Champions League simply feels different for Los Blancos.
The Uruguayan was a key part of their triumph last season, assisting Vinicius Junior in the winning goal against Liverpool.
Valverde joined the club in 2016 as a youth player but made it to the first team only in 2019, missing out on the last Champions League victory under Zinedine Zidane but securing his own triumph in 2022.
“Playing in the Champions League is special because it’s Real Madrid’s competition. It’s always different from any other match. You enter a different atmosphere, a different energy, everything seems like a unique dream,” Valverde initially told Diario AS. He believes that there is no greater purpose or trophy in club football.
“It’s the competition that every footballer in a European club dreams of winning. And undoubtedly, for the fans, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing your team win this competition because it’s the most important one at the club level.”
“That’s why I think everything comes together on Champions League nights.” “In Madrid, they have always taught us that it’s until the end, so there are still 90 minutes left,” concluded the Uruguayan midfielder.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, everything needs to be played at the Etihad Stadium. Continuing the history, belief, and attitude shown by Valverde, combined with their experience, should favor Real Madrid.
However, if one thing stands out from last season, it’s that all their comebacks were at the Santiago Bernabeu, and City will hope that the atmosphere won’t be present at the Etihad next Wednesday.