La Liga

Valverde again moved to the right back of Real Madrid

12 October 2026·4 min read·Javier Navarro
Valverde again moved to the right back of Real Madrid

Although it is not his favorite position, Fede Valverde once again worked as the right back of Real Madrid against Villarreal after a tactical change by Mourinho.

Valverde again moved to right back for Real Madrid

According to Mundodeportivo.

Why it matters

Fede Valverde's move to right back shows his versatility in different positions, which is important for Real Madrid in their La Liga campaign. This tactical change emphasized the team's need to protect their defense while enabling their attack, especially in matches against rivals such as Villarreal.

Key Points

  • Valverde again moved to the right back of Real Madrid.
  • Fede Valverde was again used as the right back for Real Madrid against Villarreal after Vinicius replaced Trent, causing Valverde, Arda Güler, and Diomande to adjust positions in the second half.
  • Valverde, de profession lateral derecho.
Although it is not the most comfortable role for him, Fede Valverde once again dropped to right back for Real Madrid in the match against Villarreal. It happened in the second half after a major tactical change stemming from a single substitution: Mourinho brought on Vinicius in place of Trent. From there, Madrid changed the entire formation of the team—Valverde moved from central midfield to right back, Arda Güler from the right wing was brought to the center, and Diomande from the left wing was moved to the right. The move highlighted Valverde's versatility. The Uruguayan is known as a box-to-box player with a flair for the run and power to press, but he is again tasked with guarding the lower line to balance the defense on the right while being allowed to push up the left flank. With Vinicius coming on, Madrid had to adjust to exploit the pace up front and protect the space at the back—this is where Valverde's job at right back came into play. For Arda Güler, the move to the center opened up more balls and angles for his creation, while Diomande, who moved to the right, brought width and runs in from the weak side. In all, a single substitution changed three positions—a well-known signature of Mourinho's pragmatic adjustments whenever an immediate response to the flow of the game was needed.
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It's no secret that Valverde prefers to stay in the middle where he can deliver a pull from the back and connect the lines. However, he once again showed professionalism and discipline at right back—careful in guarding, aggressive in the duel, and ready to support the overlap when the opportunity arose. With this set-up, Madrid was able to provide added security to the right, while opening up the left for more violent attacks. In the context of the match against Villarreal, this kind of real-time adaptation was important: it prevented the opponent's transitions in wide areas and provided enough coverage when the fullbacks pushed. It also showed how Madrid rely on leaders on the pitch—like Valverde—who are willing to sacrifice a favored role for the good of the team. No official statistical details have been released in this report, but it is clear from the change that the goal is to spice up control in the middle and tighten the edge. In the end, the story is not only about the position, but about the mentality: Valverde, although it was not his first passion, showed again why he is one of the most reliable and obedient pieces of Real Madrid in different situations of the game.

What's next

Real Madrid are expected to continue experimenting with the positions of their players as they try to achieve success in La Liga. Valverde's ability to adjust to different roles will be important in the upcoming matches, especially if Vinicius Junior continues to be part of their strategy in attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Fede Valverde in the match against Villarreal?

Fede Valverde was again moved to right back for Real Madrid in the match against Villarreal after a major tactical change.

Who confirmed the change in Valverde's position?

The change in Valverde's position comes from Mourinho's decision to bring in Vinicius instead of Trent.

Why did the change in Valverde's position happen today?

The change came so Madrid could adjust and take advantage of Vinicius' pace up front while protecting the space at the back .

What changes have occurred in the position of players at Real Madrid?

Due to the entry of Vinicius, Valverde moved from central midfield to right back, Arda Güler was brought into the middle, and Diomande was moved to the right.

What effect did the change in Valverde's position have on the game?

The move highlighted Valverde's versatility and provided balance to Madrid's defence.

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Mga Madalas na Itanong

What happened to Fede Valverde in the match against Villarreal?
Fede Valverde was again moved to right back for Real Madrid in the match against Villarreal after a major tactical change.
Who confirmed the change in Valverde's position?
The change in Valverde's position comes from Mourinho's decision to bring in Vinicius in place of Trent.
Why did the change in Valverde's position happen today?
The change happened so Madrid could adjust and take advantage of Vinicius' pace up front while protecting the space at the back.
What changes have occurred in the position of players at Real Madrid?
Due to the entry of Vinicius, Valverde moved from central midfield to right back, Arda Güler was brought into the middle, and Diomande was moved to the right.
What effect did the change in Valverde's position have on the game?
The move highlighted Valverde's versatility and provided balance to Madrid's defence.
What happened in this story?
Valverde again moved to the right back of Real Madrid summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.
La LigaReal MadridVillarrealFede ValverdeArda GülerVinicius JuniorTrentDiomande

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