Valverde Sparks Real Madrid's Turnaround in Bilbao
4 December 2025
Valverde Sparks Real Madrid's Turnaround in Bilbao
Fede Valverde, Real Madrid's star, expressed happiness after the valuable away win at Athletic Bilbao with a 3-0 scoreline on Wednesday night, saying the team managed to fix one of their most notable weaknesses in recent matches: a lack of focus in the opening minutes.
In comments on Real Madrid's TV channel after the game, Valverde said the most important thing to praise was the work across 90 minutes. In recent times they started matches without focus and conceded early, but today they discussed changing that in the locker room and succeeded in applying it brilliantly. He said he was very happy to be part of this team, and that defending Real Madrid's shirt is an honor.
The Uruguay international also pointed to the big role of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in deciding the match, in addition to the clear impact of Mbappe's presence.
He added that Courtois made crucial saves, and Mbappe is a decisive element who brings calm to the team on the pitch; he can both score and create. He also admired how Mbappe and Vinicius defend with such commitment.
Valverde admitted he's not yet at his best compared to previous seasons, saying he is trying to enjoy every day and deliver his best version. In recent matches he hasn't shown the form he's used to, which he takes as his own responsibility. He is working toward 100% and thanks his teammates and the coaching staff for their ongoing support and trust.
Punchlines: If focus were a sniper rifle, Madrid has just set it to perfect and hit the target every time. Valverde's form is so sharp that even the scoreboard seems to clap.
