The Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, described the arbitration criteria for penalties as a little unusual, while he prepared for the 2022/23 Spanish Super Cup semi-final clash against Valencia in Riyadh. He spoke to reporters alongside coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the Merengues’ final training session at the Al Nasrr facilities in Riyadh, where the squad was fine tuning ahead of a high-stakes match.
Courtois emphasized the importance of starting strong at the outset of the match. He acknowledged Valencia as a formidable opponent under Genaro Gattuso, noting that the team has a superb manager and that the encounter would be intense. The goalkeeper underscored the objective: reach the final and add another trophy to Real Madrid’s storied history. He also reflected on the recent setback, expressing the desire to bounce back and achieve victory after a difficult result in their previous outing.
The Madrid custodian addressed questions about his fitness, addressing back issues that have lingered in recent months. He insisted he was feeling well and pointed to medical tests that suggested the back problem was not simply sciatica. He claimed to have found a solution and asserted his readiness to perform. He recalled a positive World Cup run in which he conceded two goals, noting that the team did not advance, but he remained focused on showing his best form going forward. He admitted that the recent result was embarrassing given his personal standards and the team’s ambitions.
In peak condition to compete
Courtois conveyed that Real Madrid were in good physical shape to face Valencia despite the tough result in their last match. He noted that players who did not participate in the World Cup completed a solid pre-season, while others maintained their conditioning through continued training. He pointed out that those who played longer matches might feel more fatigued, but everyone was ready to contribute. He reminded fans that there was a game in three days, and that was simply the situation facing the squad.
He conceded that the team may not have shown their best form against Villarreal but suggested they had reviewed the match through video analysis with the coach to identify what went wrong. Courtois mentioned that injuries among Villarreal players were not serious and hoped they would return soon, signaling a pragmatic and optimistic mood within the squad.
Madrid fans welcome and support the team in Riyadh
On the topic of playing the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, Courtois avoided controversy. He described the experience as a pleasure, noting the warm reception from fans and the opportunity to connect with supporters from around the world who travel to watch the team. The goalkeeper emphasized the importance of delivering a title to those fans who could not attend Real Madrid’s home matches, expressing eagerness to triumph for the club’s global following.
He is not chasing personal metrics but team success
When questioned about his workload and goal tally, Courtois downplayed differences from previous seasons. He argued that it is rare in modern football for a goalkeeper to have little work to do, especially when a team attacks with many players forward. He cited Villarreal as a challenging opponent that creates danger, explaining that the numbers of goals conceded this year were not necessarily an indicator of personal performance. He suggested luck played a role in the most recent fixture, framing the issue as a team result rather than a personal statistic.
Clarifying penalties criteria with practical insights
Asked about the penalties rules and the way officiating is handled, Courtois offered a blend of humor and practical critique. He noted that explanations for refereeing decisions sometimes appear at meetings above domestic leagues and even the World Cup. He remarked on the ongoing debate about handball incidents and how some plays do and do not influence ball trajectories. His central message was that the rules should be clear, consistent, and well explained to avoid confusion for players and fans alike.
Raising the profile of Saudi football with a world-class addition
Courtois closed with thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr, praising the decision as a signal that Saudi Arabia is enhancing its sporting landscape. He highlighted how the country has been visible in Formula 1 and other global events, pointing to their World Cup performance as evidence of rising competition. While he acknowledged Ronaldo’s considerable influence, he stopped short of forecasting every outcome, instead praising the broader strategic importance of attracting a player of Ronaldo’s caliber to the league.
Across the session, Courtois conveyed a balanced mix of confidence, practicality, and admiration for the league’s ambition. The team’s focus remained on preparing for a tough semi-final, with attention to physical readiness, tactical discipline, and the support of a global fanbase that travels far to witness Real Madrid in action. The upcoming match in Riyadh loomed as a pivotal moment in Real Madrid’s campaign, a test of character and performance that could define the season’s momentum for the Spanish giants in a competitive international setting.