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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Uruguayan midfielder called tie 'very even'</li><li>City and Madrid played out dramatic 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu</li><li>Los Blancos lost 4-0 at the Etihad last season</li></ul>

'There's always a first time' - Real Madrid star Fede Valverde sends out Champions League warning to Man City

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Madrid can advance to a third straight Champions League semi-final with a win at the Etihad next Wednesday. Valverde backed them to get a result at the ground where they were beaten handily last season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Los Blancos seemed to be heading to Manchester with a narrow lead after an hour of their first-leg tie, but a Man City surge <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/phil-foden-ballon-dor-winner-erling-haaland-winners-losers-antonio-rudiger-man-city-real-madrid-champions-league-classic/blt6e8e3e70b7a9e524" target="_blank">saw them have to settle for a 3-3 draw</a>. Valverde's second-half strike salvaged a split scoreline after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/real-madrid-player-ratings-vs-manchester-city-federico-valverde-antonio-rudiger/blt390ef7e712f44a0f" target="_blank">Los Blancos surrendered a 2-1 advantage</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Valverde <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/10/federico-valverde-backs-real-madrids-pedigree-to-lift-them-at-manchester-city?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">offered a sobering assessment of the result</a>: "It’s not good because we would have liked to win. The draw feels like last year, like a defeat. What was important was that we responded to their goal. We were good, at 2-1 we lacked pressing them a bit higher so that they felt uncomfortable. And obviously, there’s the tiredness, lots of minutes chasing and it was harder to come out on the counterattack."

WHAT VALVERDE SAID ABOUT THE SCORELINE

But the midfielder also said he believed Los Blancos can win in Manchester: "It’s very even. We’re two of the best in the ­Champions League, we’re two very good teams. They have that plus of playing at home but we will bring the fight and try to do our best. We’re going to fight, as we always do. We have lots of players who have won five Champions Leagues, we have to make that count. You always have to believe, to have conviction. Us especially. We’re an example in that so that the fans believe. We are the first to believe it can be done. We have to work hard, every player has to give everything in every ball and if we all pull in the same direction I think we can do it."

WHAT VALVERDE SAID ABOUT THE RETURN LEG

The midfielder figures to be among the Madrid squad this weekend when they take on Mallorca in La Liga play. After, he will likely be in the XI for Los Blancos' crucial second-leg matchup.

WHAT NEXT FOR VALVERDE AND REAL MADRID?

'There's always a first time' - Real Madrid star Fede Valverde sends out Champions League warning to Man City | Goal.com

Federico Valverde has backed Real Madrid to get a result when they travel to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League tie