Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde felt he and his teammates played a great match in the 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon.
Real Madrid, who were struggling to create chances in the second half, barely escaped a draw against 10-man Rayo Vallecano.
Valverde was asked about the game and how a win here mattered more than usual after the loss to Benfica in the Champions League, to which he said: “We were coming off a tough defeat; no one ever wants to lose in the Champions League, it’s
the competition many of us dream of winning. We had to change that image, and today we had our first chance to redeem ourselves. And I think we played a great match.”
He was also asked about some problems that Real Madrid made during the game, urging the team to be more proactive than reactive.
He said: “Well, winning always brings happiness. The energy changes quite a bit. The most important thing is to improve, to grow as a team, to try to be calmer. We can’t always be waiting for the opponent to make a mistake. We must improve in attack and score more goals.”
Valverde also felt like the substitutions definitely helped open up the game towards the end for the hosts, as they searched for a last-minute winner that eventually came through Kylian Mbappé.
He said: “We were playing well. We weren’t creating clear chances, but the substitutions came on with a lot of energy, and we needed that, for everyone to pull in the same direction. Those who came on today were very important in winning the game. In changing the course of the match.”
Finally, he talked about head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, and the chance to finally work with him in training, saying: “Now, to work to the maximum, be there for the coach, listen to him, do physical, tactical work… The most important thing comes now, the best thing to fight for.”
