Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has demonstrated absolute faith in Kylian Mbappé's capabilities as the team prepares for Sunday's highly anticipated Supercopa final against Barcelona. Despite the French striker's previous struggles against Barça's high defensive line, where he was caught offside eight times in a 4-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu last October, Valverde maintains complete confidence in the superstar's ability to adapt.
"I can't give any lessons to a player who's won a World Cup and played in another World Cup final, who's won everything in France," Valverde declared during Saturday's press conference in Jeddah. "He's a legend, one of the best in the world, and he knows what to do."
The Uruguayan international emphasized that dealing with Barcelona's defensive strategy should be a collective endeavor rather than placing the burden solely on individual adaptation. "What Barça are doing, they're doing well, with their high line," he acknowledged. "But we have to be prepared. Above all, for the midfielders and the defenders, we have to be more worried about playing the right pass to play the forwards in on goal."
When questioned about Dani Olmo's temporary re-registration with LaLiga, Valverde expressed understanding for his fellow professional's predicament. "A player always wants to play. It's hard, training, not knowing if you'll be able to play football, with that passion which most players have. It must be tough," he reflected.
The midfielder also addressed the controversy following Madrid's 3-0 semifinal triumph over Mallorca, which saw tensions escalate regarding Pablo Maffeo's treatment of Vinícius Júnior. "When you lose you're angry, and when you win, you're euphoric," Valverde explained. "They're situations, after 90 minutes of running back and forth, you can say the first thing that comes into your head. They're football things, and it stops there."
