Fede Valverde, a midfielder for Real Madrid, has attempted to explain a notion that most people are familiar with: the Champions League somehow has a different feel for Los Blancos.
The Uruguayan played a significant role in their victory over Liverpool last season by helping Vinicius Junior score the game-winning goal. Valverde joined the squad as a youth in 2016, but didn't make the transition to the first team until 2019, narrowly missing their final Champions League victory under Zinedine Zidane, giving him his first victory in 2022.
"Since Real Madrid competes in the Champions League, playing in it is unique. It is always unique compared to other matches. When you move to a different vibe or energy, everything appears to be a special dream, the man told Diario AS.
He believes that in club football, there is no bigger objective.
"Every football player who plays for a European club hopes of winning this competition. And since this contest is the most significant at the club level, there is undoubtedly nothing more beautiful for the supporters than witnessing their side win. It all seems to come together on the same Champions League night because of this, in my opinion.
"At Madrid, they have always taught us that it is until the end, so there are 90 minutes left."
They definitely lived up to that motto against Manchester City last year, as Rodrygo Goes scored a hat trick in the dying seconds to force extra time in the semifinal.
At the Etihad Stadium, everything is on the line after a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg. According to history, Valverde's confidence and attitude, along with their expertise, ought to make Real Madrid the favourites. All of their comebacks occurred at the Santiago Bernabeu, which is one aspect of last season that stands out, and City will be hoping that mood is not there at the Etihad come next Wednesday.
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