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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><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>Midfielder Valverde had thigh issue</li><li>Took 'injections' for Man City game</li><li>Played through UCL tie</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Federico Valverde took 'injections and needles' to start Real Madrid's Champions League win against Man City due to 'not being in best shape'

Copa del Rey

Real Sociedad

Real Madrid

<p>According to <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1893574264894235052" target="_blank">Fabrizio Romano</a>, the 26-year-old received injections to play in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-player-ratings-vs-man-city-kylian-mbappe/blt4d4db8b154bea794" target="_blank">Madrid's Champions League play-off second leg tie against City</a> in midweek. <a href="https://as.com/futbol/lucas-vazquez-y-diez-mas-n/" target="_blank"><em>AS</em></a><em> </em>added that he took the painkiller due to discomfort in his left thigh and after playing the game at right-back, he took another injection to manage the symptoms.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Madrid have been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-injury-crisis-dani-carvajal-vinicius-junior-issues-confirmed-club-updates/blta3c04253e3c717f6#cs0153ff435d358df5" target="_blank">without talisman Dani Carvajal</a> in the right-back spot for months now due to injury, so for Valverde to play through the pain in a less familiar position shows his commitment to his team's cause. Los Blancos went onto win the game 3-1 and advance to the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/champions-league-last-16-draw-liverpool-psg-arsenal-psv-real-madrid-derby-atletico/blteefab85c3edefc3e" target="_blank">last 16 of the Champions League</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Valverde, who is typically a midfielder, has been a key player for Madrid this season. He has played 41 times already and has eight goals to his name in all competitions.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>It remains to be seen if Valverde will play against Girona on Sunday or if manager Carlo Ancelotti will rest the Uruguayan.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Federico Valverde took 'injections and needles' to start Real Madrid's Champions League win against Man City due to 'not being in best shape' | Goal.com

Federico Valverde reportedly received &apos;injections and needles&apos; to start for Real Madrid in their Champions League win over Manchester City.

Federico Valverde took &apos;injections and needles&apos; to start Real Madrid&apos;s Champions League win against Man City due to &apos;not being in best shape&apos;

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