Real Madrid can win fourth successive Champions League, says Thibaut Courtois

Another title? Courtois thinks it's possible
REUTERS
Ben Hayward13 February 2019

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes a fourth straight Champions League crown is possible for the Spanish side and says rival teams are a little more scared of playing against Los Blancos following their recent resurgence.

Courtois lost to Real as an Atletico player in the 2013-14 final and was at Chelsea as Zinedine Zidane's side claimed the trophy in three successive seasons between 2016 and 2018.

The Belgian, who was signed from Chelsea in the summer for €35 million and is now first choice for Real ahead of Keylor Navas, will make his first appearance for the club in the Champions League knockout stages as Madrid face Ajax in Amsterdam tomorrow night.

"When Real Madrid play, it is to win everything," he said in the pre-match press conference. "We want to get to the final of the Copa del Rey and to the last round of La Liga with a chance of fighting for the title. And the same in the Champions League."

And asked if Los Blancos could win the trophy for a fourth successive season, he said: ""I think so. If you ask who the favourites are, almost all of the players will say Real Madrid. We have a great team and we have the necessary experience. But there are other very strong teams and we have to go little by little. And first comes Ajax."

After a disappointing start to 2019, with a draw at Villarreal and a loss at home to Real Sociedad, Madrid have now won seven of their last eight games in all competitions and drawn the other, a Clasico at Camp Nou last week.

"I notice that people can see that it's more difficult to beat us now," Courtois said. "In October (when previous coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked), we had a really bad month, but now people see we are playing well and they are more scared of us."

Asked if anyone at Real was thinking of a possible treble, he said: "No. We have to go one game at a time, even if that sounds boring. We can't think about the return in the Copa (against Barcelona). We have Ajax first. Then Girona, Levante... that is how it has to be. We will see where we are at the end of the season. Let's hope it is [challenging for] the three trophies."

Real Madrid leapfrogged Atletico into second place on Saturday afternoon Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

The knockout stages of the Champions League sees the introduction of VAR in the competition for the first time and despite some controversies in Spain, Courtois says he is in favour of the technology.

"I like it," he said. "At the World Cup we had a good experience. In Spain as well, but some people don't know the rules. Sometimes it goes against you, but it is good and it makes football fairer."

Later, coach Santiago Solari addressed the media and he was asked if he would like this team to be remembered as 'Solari's Real Madrid'.

"All I aspire to is for the team to play as good a game as we did three days ago," he said, in reference to Real's 3-1 win in the Madrid derby against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday. "Football is constructed day to day."

Solari has led an impressive turnaround in recent weeks Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

Solari was also asked about Marcelo after the Brazilian's claims that he is ready for a run of games. However, he refused to reveal whether the left-back will start tomorrow.

"Marcelo is great," he said. "He's our second captain. He puts Real Madrid before everything else. He is training really well, just like all of the players."

The Argentine was also asked to sum up the importance of skipper Sergio Ramos and said: "He has wonderful personality. He is tremendously competitive and that is why he has played so many games. This Real Madrid has the seal of his character."

Real Madrid won their first Champions League crown (and seventh European Cup) at the Amsterdam Arena as Los Blancos beat Juventus in 1998.

"Great memories," Solari said. "We approach this game with all seriousness and respect, with all our humility, and with the same spirit from our other games."

Raphael Varane missed training at the stadium with flu and is doubtful for tomorrow night's last-16 first leg match.

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