Courtois addressed the media ahead of training in the build-up to the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, which sees Real Madrid take on Valencia (8pm CET). The Belgian guardian had the following to say: "We have to make a good start, it'll be a tough game against a top side, the most important thing is to get the win and we'll see what we can do in the final. It's another chance for Madrid to add another trophy to their collection. We want to get back to winning ways after the defeat the other day".
He continued: "I'm feeling very good. There was more to the problems than just sciatica, but we've found a solution and I'm feeling very good. Apart from the first goal in the World Cup against Morocco, I had a good tournament, keeping two clean sheets. I felt good, also in the game against Valladolid I was able to prove it. Conceding two goals the other day was a shame".
On the fixture list:” "We're in good shape physically, the players who didn't go to the World Cup did fitness work, just like a second pre-season, and those of us who have come back have also been working hard. The players who played up to the end may be a little more tired, but everyone is prepared to play their part. We play every three days, that's how it is when you're at a big club. We didn't put in our best performance the other day, but we've talked about it with the coach and sometimes the performance isn't how we wanted it to be".
Tchouameni and Alaba injuries: "Injuries are part of football and they happen to every team. They're not bad and hopefully they'll be back with the team soon. If there are only two injuries in a squad of 25 or 26 players, I don't think it's a bad ratio".
Playing in Saudi Arabia: "It's a pleasure to come to Saudi Arabia. We've been made to feel welcome, we know we've got a lot of fans here because we've seen it the previous two times we've played here. It's like playing at home for us. Real Madrid is a worldwide club and it's nice to be able to be here and be around fans who can't always come to Madrid. It'll be a difficult match, they've got a good team, a coach who gets behind them a lot from the sidelines and puts his players under a lot of pressure. It'll be an intense match played at a high tempo. It'll be tough but we hope the fans will spur us on to get the win".
He added: "We're really pleased to be here, we've got a lot of fans in Riyadh. Last year, I remember that despite COVID, there were still a lot of fans wearing the white jerseys in the stands. That's a really nice thing for the players, being so far away from Madrid but still receiving the same support as we do back home. It's always special to see how many fans we have around the world and we'll be hoping to get a win for them".
Defensive work: “In modern football it’s really strange for a keeper to have nothing to do, especially if you try to play offensively with a lot of players ahead of the ball. Villarreal have a lot of quality players who can hit you on the counterattack and create danger, just like Valladolid. That also happened last year. The only difference is that they managed more goals this year. I think the goals the other day were unfortunate. They’re always going to create chances. We have to limit their shots from distance, but that doesn’t worry me”.
On the handballs: “In the summer somebody from UEFA or FIFA comes to explain everything to you. What's strange is that afterwards things happen that they say don’t get awarded in that meeting. This creates the confusion of not knowing why. As for the two handballs the other day, I think it's very unfortunate that a penalty was awarded for the first one, it doesn't change the move because the ball brushed him. The one involving Alaba is difficult because they say you help yourself with your hand to avoid falling to the ground – it’s the natural position. He slips and moves his hand to avoid it, but it’s not a penalty. The VAR is there but the rules say it’s not a penalty, although I get it that it might be given initially. It’s not easy, but they have the help of the images and perhaps that has to be improved”.
On Cristiano signing for Al Nassr: “It shows that the country wants to improve their sports. I can’t give much of an opinion on Cristiano, but it shows that Saudi Arabia wants to develop. The fact that a player of that calibre has come here is important and I think they’ve brought him here to win the league”.
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