The painful memory of Real Madrid’s crushing 0-4 defeat to Barcelona still lingers in the minds of the players.
This humbling loss remains a bitter point for the team, as it showcased Barça’s dominance on one of football’s biggest stages.
Valverde, while reflecting on that match, openly admitted that Real Madrid lost their composure after Barcelona’s second goal. The Uruguayan midfielder acknowledged that the team’s performance fell far below expectations.
"The level of football we are playing is not the best or the one we thought we could have," he began saying.
Playing poorly against a direct rival, especially in a match of such global significance, stung deeply. Losing on home soil, in front of their fans, only added to the frustration.
"It hurts to lose against a direct rival and against whom you risk your pride and honour in one of the most watched games in the whole world. It hurts a lot and it makes you very angry not to get the three points on your own pitch."
Valverde praised Barcelona’s performance that day, highlighting their ability to dominate, particularly in the second half. While the first half had been evenly contested, the momentum shifted completely after Barça scored their second goal.
"I think Barcelona played a very good game, especially in the second half. The first half was very even, but the goal changed everything."
"They scored the second and it went beyond the tactical or the footballing and you go a little more crazy."
The tactical battle was lost as Madrid struggled to regain control, while Barcelona displayed composure and capitalised on their advantage.
"They play very well, they knew how to handle things when they were ahead and that’s it. They played a good role at the Bernabeu," he said.
Despite the disappointment, Valverde emphasised the need to focus on the bigger picture. He recalled a similar defeat a couple of years ago when Madrid also suffered a heavy loss at home but ended the season with Champions League and La Liga titles.
"We went through a 0-4 at the Bernabeu a couple of years ago and ended up winning the Champions League and La Liga."
This serves as a reminder that one bad game doesn’t define a season. Valverde expressed confidence in the team’s resilience and determination to turn things around, drawing on the club’s history of fighting until the end.
"In the end, what counts is whether you won titles and not whether you didn’t win certain matches."
"I stick with that, that there is still a lot to compete for, a lot to fight for. We are a team that has that rebelliousness to change the situation and move forward," he admitted.
On a more personal note, Valverde shared insights into his journey with Real Madrid. He recounted his initial disbelief upon signing for the club, only realising it was real when he saw his mother’s excitement.
"I thought it was a joke until I saw my mother so excited," he expressed.
Valverde also reflected on his journey with Real Madrid. From disbelief at signing with the club to memories of being supported by teammates like Casemiro, he cherishes his experiences.
"You arrive and you see Marcelo, Casemiro, Bale, Benzema, and Sergio Ramos sitting at the table. Casemiro was the one who supported me. He hugged me and said: ‘Sit here’."
"We were also very close in the dressing room because of the number on our shirts. Casemiro didn’t need to shout on the pitch to give instructions or correct someone."
"He was friendly, always with constructive criticism. The one my wife gives me today, Casemiro gave me in the dressing room: ‘Fede, you have to train more’."
These moments have shaped him both as a player and a person, reinforcing his commitment to giving his best to the team.