Valverde admits the sin Real Madrid committed against Atletico and makes a promise to the fans

Fede Valverde was the Real Madrid player in charge of speaking ahead of the Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty. It was not an easy appearance for the team's second captain after the defeat last Saturday in the derby by 5-2, but the Uruguayan wanted to face up and talk about the feeling in the dressing room ahead of the second match of this Champions League campaign, which began with a 2-1 victory over Marseille.

The aftermath of the derby

"They were two very hard days, very tough football-wise. It was a very hard blow, but we talked a lot. Since I've been at Madrid, we rarely get together so much to talk. We talked a lot about the attitude on the pitch and being aware of what we were playing for. We also had a lot of talks with the coach and the coaching staff."

The slump after the defeat

"We have played many games, but little time with the new coach. We have to give the best of each one. We have had two defeats with Xabi and they were hard, against PSG and the other day. It is part of football, but as a Madrid player we have to try to make that not happen. We have to go out in a different way and regroup outside and inside."

Your site with Xabi

"I am aware of how I am playing, the footballer realises when he has a bad game... It's true that I had started in a very good way in this project, I think I had a good Club World Cup and that at the start of LaLiga I have not been so good. As one of the captains I will continue to lead this group... I will stand up and keep going forward."

The full-back position

"I wasn't born to play as a full-back, I didn't grow up learning to play as a full-back and when I played there I felt proud to have done well. I always had the doubt whether I played well spontaneously... Playing there I felt comfortable. I had to play as a winger and we won a Champions League, I had to play on the wing and in midfield and we won a Champions League... I don't feel comfortable as a full-back because I wasn't born in that position and it's difficult for me to close behind the defender. All my life I played in the centre of midfield and I had team-mates who gave me a lot of advice, but it's true that I played well as a full-back and I've always made it clear that I'm there for whatever the coach says."

"I have never refused to play as a full-back"

"I have always made it clear to the coach that I am available for whatever he needs, I have never refused to play as a full-back or in another position. Whenever one is a starter, he embraces it as if it were the only thing. It's rare that this comes out of me when I've always said that I'm available to play whatever. You can ask my teammates and the coach, I've never refused to play anywhere and I'm always going to die for my teammates and for Real Madrid."

The attitude in the derby

"These are things that should not happen at Real Madrid. You have to be motivated with any game of the year, but in a derby it is paramount. Attitude is not negotiable and that is the first thing. You can fail in many things, in passing, in defending badly, in goals, but attitude is not negotiable. In the first few minutes we showed a different attitude, as if a draw was already enough for us or as if we were already playing the game as champions. As one of the leaders I say we are going to regroup."