Courtois: "We're still alive in all three competitions and we want to go all the way"
"We know how to defend set pieces. It's a matter of focus and alertness," explained the goalkeeper.
Thibaut Courtois spoke to the media ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium (Tuesday, 9 pm CEST). The Real Madrid goalkeeper had this to say: “I'm fine. I had a slight problem, but it was a routine thing. I've trained several sessions and I'm fine. We have to change our mindset for the Champions League, we want to perform well and win.”
“We know how to defend set pieces and we’ll try not to concede too many corners. It's a matter of focus and alertness. It also depends on the quality of the opposition because if a perfect ball comes in, it is very difficult to defend it. We hope that what we've prepared works out well for us.”
Injuries
“I had two at the beginning of the season in my adductor. One was from a lot of knocks and the second, perhaps, from starting too early. After that I've been fine until now, which was a minor thing. So as not to risk it, we prefer to wait to play tomorrow and not on Saturday.”
Arsenal have not lost at home in the Champions League for two years
“I didn't know that. I don't think it's something that will change much. It's like saying we've won 15 Champions League trophies, I don't think it changes anything. They're strong at home, but so were Liverpool and we beat them 5-2. We know they play well and we have to try to win the game. It's the first time we've played here for many years. We know it will be a very tough game.”
Approach to game
“We defend zonally, with some blocking, but in the national team we do it man-to-man. As a goalkeeper, you try to see if they're going to go to the near post or far post. If you know that one is going to come and block you, you have to be alert and, if he bothers you, ask for a foul. For a goalkeeper it's important to analyse it, we do it with the coaches and with Llopis. Tomorrow, we'll try to be strong on set pieces. When the game is tight, it's something that can help or hinder you.”
Resolving games at the end
“We try to resolve every game in the first few minutes, but they last 90 minutes. Often, physically we're better at the end and we can make the difference with players who come on fresh. That's the important thing, to always fight until the last minute. If we could always win in the 60th minute it would be better, but it's not something we do on purpose. Sometimes it works out itself.”
On De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City
“He's one of the best players in the Belgian national team's history and in the Premier League. He has six league titles with City. We've shared a lot of moments in the national team. I'm not too surprised to hear he's going elsewhere. He's an unbelievable player and I want him to be at his best for the World Cup.”
What do they think of Arsenal?
“We have great respect for them. I have a lot of friends who are fans of this team and I know they're doing very well. They're a young team but they also have some experienced players. They're strong in defence, in pressing, in counter-attacking and at set-pieces. It will be difficult to play against them, it's a matter of time before they win a trophy. I hope we can hurt them, we want to win. I played here many times with Chelsea and I'm expecting a good atmosphere.”
Will he be starting tomorrow?
“I'm 100 % ready. You have to ask the coach if I'm going to start the game, but I feel ready. It wasn't a big problem. I've been working out in the gym and on the pitch in the last few days.”
Criticism
“They are guided a lot by results. We didn't play badly against Valencia, we deserved to win. We missed a penalty and they scored straight after. You draw the game and look for the win, but their goalkeeper makes several good saves and at the last moment they scored to make it 1-2. I don't think we're that bad, from the inside we feel we're doing well, even if the results don't go our way. We're very much alive in all three competitions and we want to go all the way to the end.”
Motivation in this kind of match
“I don't think there's a big change. Maybe it's more apparent because it's the Champions League, but we take every game seriously. It's not like in LaLiga we go out for a stroll. Sometimes the adrenaline is higher and you try 110 per cent instead of 100 per cent. Here you are penalised more for every mistake than in La Liga and maybe that's why there is this change. It may be that in some games the motivation and adrenaline is a little higher, but we always leave everything on the pitch. That's what this shirt, this club and these fans demand of us.”