The China Mail - More than goals: Valverde draws Real Madrid map to glory

The Uruguay midfielder's 22-minute first half treble stunned Pep Guardiola and the Premier League giants as Madrid racked up a 3-0 last 16 first leg victory on Wednesday, against the odds.

City came into the game as favourites, even playing in the Spanish capital, because of Madrid's inconsistent form and injuries to Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and many others.

"You notice it when the team all works together, all for the same objective," Valverde told Movistar.

"We've shown that when the team works together we can achieve big things."

One of Real Madrid's biggest problems this season -- and last term under Carlo Ancelotti -- has been a lack of balance.

With Mbappe, Bellingham, Vinicius and Rodrygo on the pitch, Madrid are sometimes ripped open at the back.

Against City, with only Vinicius available, Los Blancos played their best match of the season.

Their aim and identity was clear, which has not been the case far too often this season.

Every player ran and Valverde's comment seemed pointed, as if he had grown fed up of playing in a team where that was not the case.

On the eve of the clash, the 27-year-old said he was willing to die for his team-mates, and insinuated he has not always felt the same coming back the other way.

"This year, it's often been the case that all eleven of us haven't been available to defend," Valverde pointed out, showing Madrid the path against City.

Wearing the number eight shirt bequeathed to him by Toni Kroos, some consider that image a reflection of Madrid's problems in a football sense.

This season in midfield Madrid have had muscle but not the guile or creativity of Kroos, or departed Croatian maestro Luka Modric.

However Valverde demonstrated with his energetic, high-octane performance -- even before getting to his superb goals -- that another way is possible. But only if everybody is on board.

Everyone will remember Valverde's goals, but scoring is not his forte -- Ancelotti even had a bet with him to try and provoke more from him in the final third.

These were his first strikes in the competition since April 2024.

Playing at right-back under Xabi Alonso for most of the first half of the season, Valverde showed his own frustrations at the situation, but kept plugging away, through gritted teeth.

Arbeloa restored him to midfield after replacing Alonso in January, unlocking him, and reaped the reward against City.

- 'Most underrated on planet' -

Valverde's first goal showed speed and grit, his second a razor-sharp finish, and his third a level of skill that few expected of him.

"Valverde becomes a legend," wrote Madrid newspaper AS.

"Following Valverde's lead, (the team) opted for a heroic defence of the club badge and anthem, of the traditional, generous team, all nerve and heart, to accomplish a feat that might well be historic without even needing a comeback."

Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold called Valverde the "most underrated footballer on the planet".

Madrid coach Arbeloa compared Valverde to Madrid's 80s icon Juanito, emblematic of the team's fighting spirit and ability to produce miracles.

"Valverde is everything that a Madrid player should be," said the Spaniard. "He deserved a night like this."

Madrid's fans have been waiting for one for a long time, and Valverde showed everybody, including the superstars watching on and applauding from a Bernabeu box, the roadmap to more.

S.Davis--ThChM