[La Sexta] We saw that Mbappé scored two goals and seems unstoppable in the race for another Golden Boot. But by giving away the penalty again to Vinícius, could he be missing out on goals?
Well, he scored two other goals, and that’s a good average to be able to fight until the end of the season. Plus another three points, which is also a good average for fighting for the title. The team’s dynamic is good — theirs too — and that makes me very happy. We didn’t concede, another clean sheet, so it was a complete, serious game with great energy. We started with high intensity, good movement, good ball circulation, we recovered possession quickly, took the lead, and then managed everything well. We could’ve scored another goal or two, but overall, it was a full match.

[COPE] You didn’t let up, as you asked. It was one of your best matches. In the second half, the advantage was almost too big and you slowed the rhythm. First minutes for Endrick, a great goal by Carreras, the Vinícius matter settled — everything went perfectly.
Well, perfectly…
Reporter: You saw any flaws?
It went well. It went well. In the second half we could clearly manage the minutes a bit. We know what match we have on Tuesday. We dominated with a very favorable score. We had to play intelligently, especially with players who have a heavy load of minutes. Indeed, many things went right today. As you said, we don’t want to let up. We want to approach every match with the proper mental and match preparation. We did that today. Now we have the Champions League on Tuesday and Vallecas on Sunday. We’ll keep going. Today was good — and from tomorrow, it’s Liverpool, Liverpool.

[Onda Cero] I want to ask about the penalty. We saw the replay and you grimaced on the bench. Was it because of Vinícius missing or because Mbappé let him take it? You said earlier you want Kylian to take penalties.
Well, because of the miss — it was just before halftime, and that could’ve been 3–0. A few moments later Jude scored, of course… So the frustration came from that moment, the missed chance to go 3–0. That’s all.

[El País] Staying on the penalty issue — is Kylian still the only penalty taker? The first one?
(interrupting) Not the only one.
Reporter: So in this case today, it was self-management on their part? Would you have preferred Kylian to take it?
We assign the takers, and the first one is Kylian… and then… they make the decisions.

[El Mundo] Valverde said after Almaty that he never refused to play and is fully committed wherever needed. That’s five straight matches at right-back. Do you see Fede as one of the players with the greatest potential in the world in that position? Do you like him there? Could he be convinced to enjoy playing there?
We can all see the level he’s playing at and how complete he is. With the ball, he has that midfielder’s soul, gives us passing options, and defensively he’s very strong. Since he started playing there, his level has risen. He’s playing better and better, and he’s feeling more comfortable in that position. We know he’s… a total player, complete in every position. Right now, because of our needs, he’s been playing there and performing excellently.

[OkDiario] You said you assign the takers and Kylian is the first, then they decide among themselves. Do you like that — that they manage who takes penalties?
I like it… when they score them [laughs]. It’s a great opportunity for us, and today Kylian converted the first one. I’d have liked to convert the second as well, but it’s not a big issue. The first penalty taker always remains Kylian.

[SER; Meana] What did you think of Vinícius’s match?
He played a very good match.

[AS] Mbappé has 18 goals in 14 appearances. That’s an average of 1.29 goals per match. If we project that for the entire season…
[laughs]
That gives a spectacular total of 81 goals. To calm down the euphoria a bit, do you think he can score 60–70? Or is that madness?
[smiling] Time will tell. Thinking about what might happen in six months and extending averages across a full season is speculation we can’t make. But we can say that Kylian has that ease in finding goals and being in the right place. When he turns and attacks the goal, he finds it very easily. He’ll score many goals — I don’t know how many by the end, but I have a feeling it’ll be a lot this season.

[Guardian] You’ve said several times this season that you need an efficient Bellingham. Could you explain what exactly you mean? Maybe I’m wrong, but you don’t want him covering too much ground — rather appearing where he can be productive?
Indeed, one thing is Jude’s position, another is what happens before the pass reaches Jude. I think many things must happen so the ball reaches him in productive and effective zones. Today he scored from a very good position for him. How we position ourselves and build up to reach that area — that’s what we’re working on. Jude can do many things, but for me, he’s most decisive in that zone. Though one day he can also drop deeper to help in build-up. Today we found him well.

[FutbolPress] Coaches don’t like dividing players into starters and substitutes, but how important is it for a coach to keep playing the same back line?
The same back line all season is impossible. The key is that the entire line always has clear principles — whether you play with four or three center-backs. We have defenders who are flexible in that sense. We’ll soon have David Alaba back, and Toni [Rüdiger] needs a little longer but will be practically ready for the next block of games. That gives us quality for competition, tactical options, and choices in how we want to play. But you need clear ideas, concentration, and mental preparation to enjoy every match.

[Radio MARCA] I’d like to ask about the Liverpool match. You’ll hold your last training session in Valdebebas, not at Anfield. That’s not typical for Real Madrid. Was that your decision?
Yes.
Reporter: Why?
Why? Because we need to prepare for the match and we prefer to do it in our own center, in our own space — so we don’t get surrounded by 200 cameras [laughs].