Real Madrid have been carried by Kylian Mbappe in attack all season, and it is clear that the Frenchman is one of the team’s most important players on the field.
Perhaps their second most important player ironically stands at the other end of the field and is none other than Thibaut Courtois.
Even in what has been a rocky and unpredictable season for Real Madrid, the Belgian goalkeeper has stood strong and unwavered with his performances and continues to single-handedly make game-changing saves in every match.
Courtois discusses routine, Benfica clash
Speaking in a recent interview, the Real Madrid goalkeeper spoke on his fitness training routine as a goalkeeper and how he worked hard to stay in shape at his age.
“I have breakfast, then I treat myself with the physios and try to loosen my hips and my knees, because goalkeepers can get a bit more stiff after training.”
“Around three times a week, I do strength and core stability training especially after my knee injury. At home, I always try to do cold water, hot water, maybe some sauna,” he added.
Speaking on the team’s defeat away against Benfica and how they must play a re-match of the same next week, the Belgian star said,
“Tough game. It’s a difficult stadium to win, I know we didn’t play our best game there but we will learn from it.”
Real Madrid face Benfica again next week. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
He was confident, however, that matters would be different this time around.
“It will be different when you know there is a second leg at Bernabeu.”
Courtois also praised Real Madrid’s next opponents – Real Sociedad – and highlighted how they are always a difficult opponent to overcome.
“Real Sociedad is a difficult rival, they had some difficulties at the beginning of the season and now with a different coach they are winning everything.”
“They come from a semifinal of the Copa del Rey and we hope they are a little more tired. I think it’s important to start the game with a lot of energy,” he added.
Finally, the goalkeeper was asked to name the best and most challenging save of his career, and he chose an effort on the biggest stage in club football.
“Against Sadio Mane in the 2022 UCL final. He cut inside, and I took a step to the left then had to shift my entire body weight to the right to make the save.”
“It was really difficult, I barely touched it and it hit the post,” he added.
Source: Tele Madrid