‘We want to be closer to the most beautiful title that exists’- Valverde ahead of Man City Champions League clash | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s Champions League second-leg tomorrow against Manchester City will have fans biting their nails, but midfielder Federico Valverde has taken a much calmer approach.

The Uruguayan, effervescent in his description of what he hopes happens tomorrow, said: “At the moment we are maybe a little bit more relaxed about this situation, but we have to stay focused and we have to stay strong.

“We should try to have a beautiful night. We should try to have a night that is remembered by every Real Madrid supporter. We want to be closer to the most beautiful title that exists.

“We all want to win it and we all have to work together – the supporters and the team – we all have to go towards the same direction.”

Valverde certainly knows how beautiful the Champions League title is, having won it twice already, in 2021/22 and 2023/24.

He’ll be wanting to catch up to some of his teammates though. Luka Modric has won the trophy six times, along with right-back Dani Carvajal.

A player in pursuit of a second Champions League title in as many seasons at the club is Jude Bellingham, who was sent off at the weekend against Osasuna for abusing referee Jose Munuera Montero.

But Valverede has said he likes Bellingham’s passion and doesn’t want him to change.

“What I want is players who leave their soul out on the pitch,” he said. “In this case with Jude in the last game, I always want him to be like that.

“Jude is a player who shows character, who always wants to win, who always wants to fight. This time he got a red card, but I like that he’s giving everything, his spikiness… we have to stay united as a team.”

Real know the equation tomorrow. They hold a one goal advantage and simply need a draw to go through. Off the basis of what happened last week, though, and the attacking quality on display for both teams, it might not be as straight-forward as that.