• Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde appeared at a press conference to discuss Wednesday's clash against Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The player said: "It's an amazing match. Any Real Madrid player and any child dreaming of playing football wishes to play in such matches. We are very excited and psychologically confident after the victory in the last match, which was very important to reach this confrontation in good shape."

He added: "We know how important it is to have the fans by our side; with them, everything becomes much easier. We need them. Every player who participates must give their utmost and contribute their role in this important match, and I believe that in this way we will be able to achieve our goal."

He continued: "Kylian Mbappe is very important to us, but we are now focused on preparing for the match and on the work we've done over the past few days, and on ensuring every player who participates gives their best. We need everyone in such matches. It's important that we all give 100% in defense and attack to achieve a good result before the return match."

On injury treatment: "I'll talk about myself. Here I have everything, and Real Madrid is the best club in the world. For me, here are the best people. I will always be ready to develop here, I also trust the people inside the club. I have someone I consider my right hand in the team, a physiotherapist whom I trust with my body and leave all decisions related to it, so I am very calm, my mind is focused on the Manchester City match since the end of the Celta Vigo game. We are focused on giving our best. We must play tomorrow's match with utmost enthusiasm to make it a great night."

On team commitment: "Everyone is committed, from the first player and member of the technical staff to the last person. We give our lives every day for things to improve and for the fans to feel proud of what we offer on the field; they should be proud of us when we perform well. The technical staff gives their utmost to make the players comfortable and for things to go as well as possible. We are all moving in the same direction, very united and working with maximum effort."

He continued about the performance of academy players: "I am happy to give opportunities to young players. They are doing great in training, working hard, and running a lot, which is commendable. They come with great enthusiasm and pride to wear this shirt, which is beautiful and speaks well of them. When they get the chance, they must make the most of it. Currently, Thiago is the most involved and performing well. But I always stress to them the need to be humble off the field, to be good people, and to train well to be role models for future academy players."

On his role in play-building: "I always try to adapt to the coach's or technical staff's ideas. I've played in many positions and haven't always played in midfield. So I always try to give my best wherever the coach wants me, sometimes asking me to play on the flank, receive the ball, and move forward with the right-back or winger. Sometimes I play in the middle for defensive support, and sometimes I'm freer to advance in attack and score goals or create opportunities. I try to adapt, and I like that. For me, the most important thing is to be in the starting lineup, and then I adapt to what the team needs and give my best wherever I am."

He added about whether there is a feeling of revenge against City: "Playing the match with great enthusiasm. In the match we played this season at the Bernabéu, we did a great job until they turned the score on us. After that, we didn't have a good game, and I think they controlled us after taking the lead. We've worked a lot during these days, especially offensively. Every player must know what they have to do. We've also worked defensively to be united, which is the most important thing; many times this season, the eleven players haven't defended together. Now we are in good shape and know what we have to do. We want to achieve a good result because the return match is still coming. These matches are tough, and we must be in the best physical and mental condition."

On how to stop Semenio: "They are a great team, from the goalkeeper to the striker, all are world-class players. They have good dynamics and know their style of play, we must be cautious of all players, but I always like to focus on what we are doing. We must be ready and united with the fans to achieve a good result tomorrow."

He emphasized: "We must train with maximum strength and always be ready to serve the team. In football, there are good moments and difficult ones. The player who is a reference in the team must always be available, even with pain or injuries, I always try to give my best, so my teammates feel proud of what I offer. To have a brother on the field whom they know will defend them to the end, I am always ready to help my teammates in defense or attack, and even outside of football. You must always be someone who can be relied upon."

He explained: "This match is a little different from the previous encounter. Now there is a first and second leg, and this changes a lot. It's very important to achieve a good result tomorrow so we can go to the second leg more comfortably because we will be playing away in front of their fans, and this changes things. We are focused on the work we've done in the past days. They were days of hard work and focusing on what we have to do. We must not repeat the mistakes of the previous match that we lost due to our mistakes. We are ready to achieve a good result tomorrow."

He concluded: "The result we achieved in the last match against Celta Vigo helped us a lot morally. We needed such a match and to win; we must continue to improve in terms of performance and for the players to develop on an individual level. We are winning matches, but sometimes not with the best possible performance. We needed the win to come to this match with enthusiasm and energy; everyone in the dressing room knows what we are facing. It has been difficult months for us, and we are aware of that. We all worked with maximum effort, even more than we did before, to change the course of the season. We hope to finish the season in the best possible way. We must stay focused on each player's role and put the team's interest first. In this way, I believe we are capable of achieving titles until the end of the season."