Valverde: “It was a great game to score again and for the team to win”

Real Madrid beat Atlético in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup and Valverde, who scored the first goal of the match with a stunning free-kick, said: “First goal of the year. After going so many games without scoring, today was a great game for us to score again and for the team to win. We also have to be self-critical; we had chances, but they had many more. I think they played much better than us. We have to keep correcting that and keep improving, we are a great team. We have to be much more together in the moments when we have to suffer. That's part of football and we have to know how to dig in, attack and stick together.”

“You always want to make a winning start. It's very difficult to start losing and then turn the game around. We relaxed a bit after the early goal and it was difficult for us to keep the ball and play our game. That's pretty much what the match was all about. We had a lot of chances but they came from a counter-attack or a breakaway. We have to be self-critical and keep improving.”

Tiredness in the closing minutes
“After so many matches that both teams have played. The heat here also affected all the players. We work and live for this, but there are moments when the body feels it. It was noticeable that in the last few minutes it was very hard for both teams.”

Conversation with Simeone
"Football and coaching code. It's part of football. It's a derby and it's normal to experience it that way. The important thing is that it stays on the pitch. Let football continue to experience the folklore and to have that spark.”

Clásico final
“We have to be prepared, well rested and mentally prepared to win.”