Valverde: "We have to try to beat Salzburg and finish first"
"It's nice to see people supporting us at the World Cup and showing us so much love every day," added the midfielder on Realmadrid TV.
Fede Valverde was interviewed by Realmadrid TV and analysed the Club World Cup, in which Real Madrid close the group stage against Salzburg at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (Friday, 3:00 am CEST; Thursday, 9:00pm local time): "This match is an opportunity to continue refining what the coach wants and to keep working on what he's asking of us these days. We have to remain united, all together, which I think will be the most important thing in order to win all the titles this year. We have to improve and continue getting to know each other, because new players have arrived. We have to prepare in the best possible way because it's going to be a very important and demanding match. We have to try to get the three points to qualify in first place."
"It's very hot, but it's the same for all the teams. We'll play Salzburg at night, which is an advantage because we'll have more hours to rest. The team is preparing very well and we're taking all the necessary measures, as requested by the coaching staff, to rest, recover, and work hard for the next game."
The Club World Cup
"It's been a great new experience. It's the first tournament of this magnitude, and it's nice to see the Real Madrid fans supporting us and showing us so much affection every day. At the hotel in Charlotte, it was crazy how the fans welcomed us. Being able to represent this badge, defend it, and have so many people supporting us is something we have to be grateful for every day."
His goal against Pachuca
"We were a man down. It was a great pass from Dean (Huijsen), Vini Jr. made a great run, and had the patience to pass back to me. With a man down, there's a lot of space because the opposition can get complacent, and we knew how to take advantage of that space."
"It was a huge relief after missing the penalty in the first game. It was crucial, beyond the team's victory, which is always the most important thing, because I wanted to score a goal and get over the previous game. That's why I celebrated so passionately. It's also true that when you play for so long with a player less, you enjoy every goal much more."
Xabi Alonso's words of praise at the press conference
"It's a source of pride, an honour. It's very nice when your coach says those words about you. I'm happy, and it has to help me to keep working and continue to be an example for all my teammates and the team. To be a role model and to work hard, to always be available for what the team wants, and, above all, for the coach. To hear those words from someone like him, who is not only our coach but also what he was as a footballer, is something very important and nice for me."
What Xabi Alonso asks of him
"To have a lot of control, patience, to try to attack the spaces, and to continue contributing what I know. In the end, the important thing is that he gives me a lot of confidence, a lot of support, and is always there for me, as he was constantly encouraging me when I missed the penalty. I'll take those things away with me."