Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has insisted that Real Madrid ‘lack quality’ following the sale of Mesut Ozil.
Los Blancos sold the German playmaker to Arsenal on the final day of the transfer window, and ahead of the Madrid derby this evening, the shot-stopper has claimed that the playmaker gave the Santiago Bernabeu side something different.
“Without Ozil Madrid lack quality on the pitch,” he told AS. “Ozil has tremendous vision and can see the final pass.
“He plays between the lines and can open up any game. It is true that Madrid have other great players though!
“When I arrived at Atleti everyone spoke about how we hadn’t won a derby in years. But after the Copa del Rey final last year, that has relieved some pressure.
“Obviously there is still pressure of sorts because it’s the derby, but there is definitely less. We not only want the three points, but to defeat a rival as well.
“I never imagined we’d have 18 point by now. The squad is in great condition after a brilliant preseason.
“I know that we could break our own record [for an unbeaten start to a season], but records don’t win you trophies.
“We have to keep going game-by-game as if each match was a final.”
The Belgian shot-stopper concluded by commented on Real Madrid players in one word.
“Ronaldo? A goalscorer.
“Bale? Fast.
“Benzema? Knows where the net is.”
