Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois talked to UEFA’s official website to preview Wednesday’s match against Atalanta in the 2024 UEFA Supercup Final, the first official game of the much-anticipated 2024-25 season.
“We’re going to be ready to play against Atalanta. They play some good football, they press all over the pitch. We played against them in the Champions League a few years back and it was a really hard game. We know this will be a difficult match but we’re going to try our best to win it. We want to clinch the trophy,” said Courtois.
The Belgian goalkeeper has spent most of his summer getting ready for what’s going to be a long season after missing most of the 2023-24 campaign with a knee injury he suffered last summer.
“I’m in good shape and ready for the season. The end of last season was fantastic for me, with the Champions League final. I’m really pleased with how I finished what was a very difficult campaign. I’ve started strongly this pre-season and I hope that continues. I feel good, I have no problems, and that’s the most important thing,” he explained.
Courtois concluded his interview by praising coach Ancelotti.
“Ancelotti is a great man. He has a wonderful personality and he’s a fantastic coach. He strikes that balance between giving us freedom and imposing a tactical approach. He manages the dressing room and the training sessions brilliantly. We work really hard but we have a good laugh as well. I think he’s one of the greatest coaches of all time. He’s shown it at every club he’s managed. When he retires, he’ll be acknowledged as one of the best coaches in history,” he said.