Fede Valverde: "Zidane gave me confidence when the team wasn't doing well"

Fede Valverde has been one of the keys to Real Madrid's return to form over the last month. In part, coach Zinedine Zidane is to thank for that because, at a tough moment for the team, he took a chance on the 21-year-old. 

Ahead of this week's Clasico, the Uruguayan is now a regular in Madrid's starting lineup and is being tipped to have an impact at Camp Nou on Wednesday. 

In an interview with Túnel, the Uruguayan has looked back over his time at Madrid. 

"At the start, it's really tough when you go into a dressing room with Ramos, Modric, Benzema," he said. "Now I speak face to face with them because I have earned my space in football. Zidane has given me the confidence to develop my game. 

"It can't be easy to put a 21-year-old kid in the team when things are not going well. He asked me to work for the team and to show what I can do with every ball, in terms of distribution and quality." 

Valverde's performances have made him one of the stars of the La Liga season so far. He says he feels comfortable in the right-centre role Zidane has given him, just ahead of Casemiro. 

"I'm almost accompanying the forwards but I also have to get back and defend. That's where I am at my best and Zidane's giving me that space on the pitch with the freedom to move around," he added.