Thibaut Courtois spoke at a press conference on the eve of a crucial Champions League match against Brest. With his legendary calm and lucidity, the Belgian addressed a wide range of subjects, from the recovery of his team-mate David Alaba to the tactical challenges of the match ahead. Here are the highlights of the conference.
How is David Alaba doing after his return to the pitch?
Thibaut Courtois: David is doing very well. It’s always difficult to come back after a long absence, especially when you don’t have any friendlies to get back into the swing of things. But he’s working hard to adapt to the rhythm of official matches. Anyone who’s been through this kind of situation knows how hard it is physically and mentally. I told him: ‘You’ll see, in a few months you’ll be back on the pitch, enjoying playing football. And that’s exactly what’s happening. We’re very happy he’s back and I’m convinced he’ll be a key player for us in the second half of the season.
In the dressing room, do you feel a ‘debt’ to the big teams?
I wouldn’t say there’s a debt. The season is still long and there are still a lot of games to be played. For example, the derby against Atlético was intense, and the Supercup was a blow, but we reacted well. The important thing is to remain consistent and prove in every game that we are a great team. Winning tomorrow is the priority. Then we’ll look ahead to the next games, like the one against Espanyol.
Do you know any of the Brest players?
Not very well, to be honest. I know their goalkeeper, because he played in Belgium, but that’s it. I’ve watched a few of their games, like against Leverkusen, and they’re a team that knows what they’re doing. They want the ball, they close down spaces well and they’re very hard to break down. They play with intensity, especially at home. It’s going to be a tough game.
What do you think of the Brest team?
I’m impressed by their level of play. Physically, they’re very solid and they play well as a team. The city may be cold, but here in Spain we’re used to tough conditions too. We’ll have to work very hard to beat them, but we’re ready for the challenge.
Do you think Real Madrid are suffering as much as the other big European clubs this season?
The Champions League is a very demanding competition. There are always periods when we can look less dominant, but the important thing is to stay alive in the competition. Even if we’ve lost a few games, we’re still here, ready to take on the great teams of Europe. Reaching the top 8 is a challenge, but I firmly believe we have the resources and the mindset to get there.
Carlo Ancelotti insists on the importance of improving defensively. What do you think about that?
I think he’s right. We need to manage the start of games better. Sometimes we complicate situations that should be simple, like against Las Palmas or Valladolid. But it’s not just a question of defenders. The whole team has to be involved, including the forwards, who have to press better. If we want to go far, we have to be solid defensively, because in attack we’ve already proved that we can score.
At the level Mbappé is currently playing at, is he the best player in the world?
Yes, absolutely. He’s one of the best in the world. We’re lucky to have several exceptional players like him in our team: Kylian, Vinicius and even Rodrygo. It’s better to have them with us than against us, that’s for sure!
How do you see tomorrow’s game?
It’s going to be a tough game, that’s for sure. Brest are a physical team, with a very tall striker and some talented players. But we’re on a good run of form. We’ve been playing well recently, scoring a lot of goals and defending better. Now is the time to show that we are competitive and capable of playing a great game. Our objective is clear: to win and secure our place in the last 16.
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