Atletico Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois has downplayed the praise sent his way after a number of impressive saves against Valencia.
The sides drew 1-1 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie after a late Helder Postiga goal cancelled out Raul Garcia’s opener, but it was Courtois who caught the eye with his attempts to preserve Atletico’s lead.
Atletico came under immense pressure and Courtois was equal to it until Postiga’s stoppage time leveller, but speaking after the final whistle, the goalkeeper dismissed the post-match acclaim.
“In the second-half we suffered, but I’m in goal to stop the shots,” the on-loan Belgium international said.
“I think we were misplaced because we believed the game had ended and they scored a goal.
“The return will be complicated but getting a goal here is fine. We suffered but we’re still in the game. Too bad we conceded that final goal.
“It was a great match. We knew it would be a tough game but in the first-half I wasn’t really involved.
“In the second I had a lot of work. We lost the lead but the goal is important. Playing here is always tough.”
Atletico can now turn their attention to the top of the table meeting with Barcelona on Saturday, a game Courtois compared to a cup final.
“You have to play every game like it’s a final. You always have to play like it’s the last game.
“We know what awaits us at the Calderon on Saturday and hopefully we can win.”
