Valverde’s late strike seals Real Madrid comeback against AEK Athens

Federico Valverde scored in the second minute of added time to give Real Madrid a dramatic 3-2 victory away to AEK Athens in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Real Madrid had fallen behind but recovered to claim all three points in the fourth round of the league phase. Valverde’s late finish completed the comeback and secured a valuable win for the Spanish side.

“It was a difficult and complicated match,” Valverde told Movistar. “I believe we controlled the game. I want to congratulate the team for its efforts.”

The Uruguay midfielder said AEK Athens’ opening goal had affected Real Madrid, but praised the team for maintaining its approach and eventually regaining control.

“Their first goal affected us,” he said. “But the team continued playing in the way we usually do and followed the work we had done during the week. We took control again and felt comfortable once more.

“We started attacking again and put in the same effort we had been making.”

Valverde, who captained Real Madrid, credited both the coaching staff and the players for the turnaround.

“The credit goes to the coaching staff and the players for continuing to trust their team-mates,” he said.

He also expressed his appreciation for working under the current coaching staff.

“It is a pleasure to play under this coaching staff,” Valverde added. “We will never stop trying.”

Reflecting on his match-winning goal, Valverde said the confidence of his team-mates had encouraged him to take the opportunity.

“Sometimes I think about it too much,” he said. “I am grateful to my team-mates, who give me the confidence to try.”