Real Madrid star Fede Valverde appeared in press statements after the 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the early match of the nineteenth round of the Spanish League, at San Mames Stadium.

The player said: "The best part is our performance throughout the ninety minutes. For several matches, we struggled to focus from the start and conceded goals very early. Today, we made it clear in the dressing room: we had to try to change that, press the opponent, and score first to feel at ease."

He added: "We delivered a great performance today. The whole team worked well defensively. We were also very good offensively. We have key players who always shake the net with every touch of the ball. We are happy with the win, and I am happy to be part of this team."

Regarding receiving the captain's armband: "It is an honor for me to defend this emblem every day, and I am proud of my teammates who always support me. For me, it is a pleasure to continue playing here, keep winning, and keep developing as a team."

He emphasized: "We were great today. The entire team gave an excellent defensive performance, and we were also outstanding in attack. We have key players who always score with every ball they touch. We are happy with the victory, and I am happy to be part of this team. The second goal."

About Thibaut Courtois’s enthusiastic comments: "Amazing. It was a really great feeling. We must also praise Courtois’s wonderful saves to keep a clean sheet. That gave us great confidence to attack. I think the second goal was a fantastic play. Most players were involved, and in the end, Camavinga scored. He doesn’t usually score many goals annually, so we are very happy for him."

He continued: "I try to enjoy every day and give my best whenever I get the chance. The past few matches were mentally tough for me, as I couldn’t perform as I had for a long time. But this is my responsibility. I try my best in training and on the field. I am always grateful for the support of my teammates. They are always there to help me and put a smile on my face. I would also like to thank the coaching staff who believe in me."

Regarding Kylian Mbappe: "It is essential that a player of his caliber, almost every time he touches the ball, can finish the attack with a goal. This motivates us; it is reassuring to have him in the attack, cooperating and collaborating with the team. We know all that he can contribute offensively and all the goals he has scored, but it is always good to see him and Vinicius Junior defend in the same way they did."

He concluded about returning to the Bernabeu next week: "We look forward to this match with great eagerness and enthusiasm after all these away games. It is a pleasure and an honor for me to continue representing this emblem. Returning to the Bernabeu is an overwhelming joy. We hope to achieve another win in front of our fans."