Real MadridTheir players were motivated by Mohamed Salah “disrespects the badge” when he says he prefers Madrid City of Manchester as LiverpoolThe ultimate Champions League opponent, midfield Fede Valverde said.
Salah revealed after Liverpool’s semi-final victory Villarreal that he wants to face Madrid – who beat Man City a day later – in the final in Paris on May 28.
Madrid and Liverpool last competed in the Champions League final in Kiev in 2018, with Madrid’s 3-1 win and Salah forced off the field with a dislocated shoulder after the clash. Sergio Ramos.
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“I want to play in Madrid, I have to be honest,” Salah told BT Sport on May 3. “Man City are a really tough team, we’ve played them a few times this season, but I think if you ask me personally, I’d prefer Madrid.
“Because we lost in the final against them, I want to play against them, and hopefully beat them.”
Valverde – speaking in an interview with the Spanish magazine ‘Club del Deportista’ and published by Marca on Monday – said those comments would be additional motivation in Saturday’s final.
“Obviously those are words that people can take any way they want,” Valverde said. “I’m his opponent and that’s like respecting the Real Madrid badge, the players… The only thing we have to do is give our best, try to show why we are. I’m in the final and let’s hope we can give another trophy to the fans and Real Madrid.”
Madrid have enjoyed a roller-coaster Champions League campaign this season, with a return at the Santiago Bernabeu being claimed against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City in the knockout stages to reach the final.
“The first thing to do is thank the fans, because when the game feels like it’s lost, when you can’t find the space, the whole team doesn’t feel good, the fans are always there to support you. for us,” Valverde said. “That gives us a plus, an energy you can’t explain. The game isn’t over until the referee says so.
“The biggest game was against Man City. It’s very difficult to go through again when you’re losing in the 89th minute, you blink and you’re winning. Those are things that don’t happen often in life.”
He added: “I don’t know if it’s fear [that opponents feel], or the pressure that stadiums and fans create. They know they’re playing against Real Madrid and they’re capable of anything, and you can see that. When the coaching staff, the whole team and the fans feel it, it’s like the Bermuda Triangle.”
The final pushed Madrid’s LaLiga champions against Liverpool, who missed out on the Premier League title by exactly one point on the final day of the season.
The clubs are two of the most successful in Champions League history, with Madrid having won a record 13 European Cups and Liverpool third in the all-time standings with six.
