On the eve of the Madrid derby, Uruguayan international Federico Valverde stated that a victory at the Santiago Bernabéu against Atlético de Madrid would be a major step forward for the Merengues in the race for the LaLiga title.

For top clubs, a season is filled with many uneventful matches that must be handled well to stay on track for their objectives. But there are also key moments that can define the course of the campaign. This Saturday’s derby is one of those matches, as the two giants of the Spanish capital clash in a decisive showdown for the league lead. After 22 rounds, only one point separates Real Madrid and Atlético. "Winning the derby would be very special, first because of what the match represents. Every player, whether from Real Madrid or Atlético, always wants to win, desires it, and dreams of playing in a match of this caliber," said Valverde during a promotional event ahead of the top-of-the-table clash.

A confidence boost before facing Manchester City

Valverde, who is set to play at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday—likely as a right-back due to the team’s defensive injury crisis—knows that this game, beyond its symbolic importance, could allow Real Madrid to extend its lead in the standings. "Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona are doing very well, but we focus on our own project and on doing things the best way possible. Winning would give us a huge boost in LaLiga, especially in terms of mentality," the Uruguayan emphasized.

A victory would be crucial for the Merengues, especially after last week's unexpected defeat against Espanyol de Barcelona (0-1). Additionally, Carlo Ancelotti’s team needs to arrive in the best possible form for their tough Champions League round of 16 clash against Manchester City, a team they have faced in the last four editions of the tournament.

With Atlético de Madrid threatening the top spot and Barcelona lurking after recovering from their slump in November and December, Real Madrid knows they cannot afford to slip up. The derby is not just a matter of pride—it’s a golden opportunity to make a statement in the title race.