Thibaut Courtois has warned Real Madrid that Atletico Madrid ‘know how to beat them’ and will not be playing for a draw this weekend.
Atleti travel across the Spanish capital this Saturday evening for Week 7’s first Madrid derby of the season.
The fixture represents the first meeting between the sides since last May’s Copa del Rey final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Won by Atleti, their goalkeeper hinted at the confidence it has given him and his teammates heading into this weekend.
“We have a great team and we know how to beat them,” enthused Courtois at a publicity event today.
“It is three points more, it is another final. As a footballer, I never play to draw a game, but to win.
“Can we maintain our current form? There are players who will have good moments and others who will not.
“But I think that the whole team can maintain the current level. The team is still good with one or with the other.”
The goalkeeper, who was taking questions alongside teammate Koke Resurreccion, was asked how he is preparing for the possibility of free-kicks against Cristiano Ronaldo and now also Gareth Bale.
“In goal I am always worried when they go to take a free-kick, but you learn in discussions and through videos of the players.
“With Belgium I have come up against Bale, whilst some friends who play at Tottenham have told me how he hits his.
“I am into my third year in La Liga and I already know how fantastic Cristiano’s free-kicks can be.
“But, Koke can take free-kicks too and takes very good corners, which are a danger to any team.”
