"Against Jeremy Doku, he was Trent Alexander-Arnold's best friend, protecting the right-back without sacrificing his freedom to surge forward. The plan relied on long deliveries from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into the right flank where Valverde could attack the space behind City's high line. The first goal came exactly that way."
"For Arbeloa this performance was not so much a surprise. In recent weeks the coach has described Valverde as the spiritual epitome of Real Madrid, even comparing him to former player Juan Gomez - Juanito - which, at the Bernabeu, is placing a player on the highest club's altar."
"His first career treble - for either Real or Uruguay - ended with an improvised lap of honour and a signed match ball given to his younger son Bautista in the stadium car park as a family photo was taken with both of his children and wife Mina Bonino."
Fede Valverde delivered a career-defining performance by scoring a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League last-16 first leg at the Bernabéu. The 27-year-old Uruguayan midfielder, long known for his tireless work ethic and gap-filling role, became the focal point of the match. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa's tactical setup utilized Valverde's attacking prowess on the right flank, exploiting the space behind City's high defensive line through long deliveries from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Valverde's first goal exemplified this strategy perfectly. After a decade at Real Madrid with nearly 300 appearances and 11 major trophies, including two Champions League titles, Valverde has evolved from a doubted prospect who failed to impress at Arsenal as a teenager into a club legend.
Read at www.bbc.com
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