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| Sportschosun DB |
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Federico Valverde is a player who cannot be easily loved by Korean fans, but his skills are real.
Real Madrid came from behind to win 3-2 in the first round of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) round of 16 playoff against Manchester City in 2024-2025 at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, at 5 a.m. on the 12th (Korea time). Real won on the road and gained a very advantage in the second leg at home.
Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz, who scored the equalizer, and Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, who scored the come-from-behind goal, are the main contributors to the victory, but Valder is the hidden contributor. Valderde is originally a central midfielder but started at right fullback on the day. Even key Dani Carvajal and backup Lucas Vazquez were injured, and Real's right full-back is now wiped out.
In response, multiplayer Valverde moved to the right. Valverde has frequently held the right fullback position this season. Valverde led Real to a come-from-behind victory by showing no signs of shaking at the right full-back.
Valverde bullied Manchester City players not only on the right but also in the center. In the 43rd minute of the first half, he dribbled from the center and threatened Manchester City's goal with a powerful shot. In the 18th minute of the second half, he momentarily participated in Real's counterattack and approached the score with a threatening shot.
In the 21st minute of the second half, he created a perfect scoring opportunity by scoring an unrealistic cross from the right toward Bellingham, who was penetrating into the penalty box from near the center. Defensively, Valverde recorded four clearances, one block, four clearings and three ball recoveries. After the game, Bellingham was also a midfielder, with two of his four backs. I thank the four players for their performance."
In fact, a player of Valverde's level is likely to be dissatisfied when he is pushed out of his main position and plays in another position, but Valverde is playing while showing loyalty. He is also a world-class central midfielder who is obvious at this point in terms of his skills. It is Valverde that cannot be loved by Real fans as he is running toward career high this season.
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However, he is a player whose image is not good for Korean fans. Valverde was controversial for performing a racist ceremony at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea in 2017. Valverde explained that it was not a racist act.
When he met South Korea at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he made a rough tackle on Lee Kang-in and provoked him, demanding cheers from the crowd.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
