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Courtois speaks for Real Madrid Conecta: When you're happy, it always helps to pull off those saves”

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As the squad came together at Real Madrid City for the latest training session ahead of the LaLiga Matchday 26 encounter against Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas (Saturday, 6:30pm CET), Thibaut Courtois found the time to give an interview for the programme Real Madrid Conecta, on Realmadrid TV. The Belgian goalkeeper talked about the team’s current situation and spoke about his rich vein of form.

He said: “It was important to keep clean sheets in many of the games in order to win. In others it was important to score more than one goal to get the win. The team´s performed solidly, both in attack and defence, and that helps you win matches and be at the top of the table. We hope to be able to keep that up”.


When hearing how he gets spoken to as the best keeper in the world: "Obviously, it's very nice to hear that. I'm just trying to do my job the best I can and help the team to win. Whatever comes next is nice, but I'm still working hard. What matters most to me is the praise from the Madrid fans, the coach and my teammates”.



When asked if this is his finest playing spell: "Maybe, yes. I've been playing pretty well for two or three years now, helping the team. Last year I think I had one of the best seasons of my career, but didn´t manage to win any trophies. So, in the end people forget a bit, except here at the club and with the fans. Because this year we’re at the top and doing well, it attracts more attention. I'm really pleased to be here. When you're happy, it always helps to pull off those saves”.


Enjoying life in Spain: “Since the day I arrived here almost eleven years ago, I’ve always respected the culture and I’ve tried to learn the language quickly. I feel like any other Spaniard. I’m happy to be able to live here, as I’ve said many times. Madrid is my home and I’ll always live here”.


On what Ancelotti wants from him: “Saves (laughs). The goalkeeper also has an important part to play when playing out from the back. We also try to make a difference in this area. This is something that I need to improve on a lot to help the team more. Then the coach wants you to be there to make the saves when the team is struggling”.




Saving penalties: “They also bring me a video at lunch to show me the free-kicks, some goals and the penalties from seven or eight different players. The goalkeeping coach, Llopis, prepares a file with the last five or six penalties. Before the game, I look at who’s playing because sometimes the taker is down to who’s playing. I give him my impression on the taker, he gives me his and we’re almost always right. In the end, it comes down to luck whether you stop a penalty in a game. Recently, I’ve been lucky, but it´s also because of the work we do. It’s great to be able to help the team”.


Natural ability: "A lot of it is genetics. I have to thank my parents. They are into volleyball, and it's a sport where tall people hit the ground very quickly. Since I was a kid I used to throw myself to the ground in the garden and in beach volleyball. I think that has also shaped me as a goalkeeper and it helps me a lot. Being two metres tall and going down fast helps you save a lot of shots".


Work at Real Madrid City: "We get there about an hour before training. I usually get a little treatment or warm up in case of any discomfort. After training, there may be additional work with a physio or gym trainer to improve something. Maybe to have more stability or improve my reflexes as a goalkeeper.


Evolution: “At the age of 16 your positioning isn´t so good, you don´t play with your feet so much, you don´t have the same reflexes or experience. You gradually improve all these aspects. A keeper´s best years are usually between 28 and early thirties. It´s nice to look back at my journey from when I was 16 to where I am now at Real Madrid. I used to have a flag of the Bernabéu in my bedroom, a Casillas shirt and I never imagined I would be sitting here today. It´s a dream come true”.


Construction work at the Bernabéu: "It's nice to be there almost every week. Every time I go I have a look at what they’ve done in the last few days. In the last game against Alavés you could see that the roof’s changed a lot, that the corners are closer. There’ll never be another stadium like the Bernabéu. I'm really looking forward to seeing it finished. I also want to see more fans because we miss the supporters not being behind the goal. The fans cheer a lot and scare the opponents a bit. We’re looking forward to seeing the stadium full again".

Dream fulfilled: "Being at Real Madrid is a dream come true and I still live that dream every day. I hope to be at this level for many years to come. I’m really happy. There’s nothing nicer than living in Madrid. It's a spectacular city and, as I said before, I plan to live here forever".




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