Courtois: "We have strengthened well, we have more quality than last year"

Thibaut Courtois will continue this season as the red and white goalkeeper. The young Belgian, who faces his third season at Atletico, has no doubt that this year the team has enough quality to cope with a season as hard as long as the coming one with League, Cup and Champions League "I think we have a good team but I think the intensity and workouts work very well to form a competitive squad. This year we have more quality than the last. The bench is better because there are good players who can come in any time in to the starting lineup. We will have a difficult year with all three competitions and if we want to compete on equal terms with any team we have to be on top in all of them."He also referred to the fierce competition in the squad in each position. Far from worry, the goalkeeper believes it will be much better for the team with the big players in the same positions. "We must be prepared to play because the coach does not give away anything to anyone. That will allow us to play better because of the great competition, and this is one of the factors to compete with the best in the world," he said.

Courtois wanted to make clear that the philosophy of the team, in addition to fighting for the ultimate in all competitions, will be going 'game by game'. "This year we have to match last year. The first half was very good and we have to improve for the second fight with Madrid and Barcelona. We have to see week by week, game by game, like the previous years because I think it is the best way to tackle all competitions," he said.

Asked about the reinforcements of other teams for big money, Courtois said that football is won on the field and everything else does not matter. "I do not think the football is won with money, everything is won on the field. We have signed players like Villa, Leo and Demichelis. We have strengthened well and try to do everything in the best way possible."

What is clear is the Belgian player is keen to play in the Champions League for Atletico Madrid a must every season. "Playing in the Champions League for a club like Atletico is required. We have twice won the UEFA Cup and two European Super so a team like ours has to playing in the Champions League every season. For the fans it is good and much better for us. If we play well in the Champions League we will hope to have a good year," he predicted.

With the departure of Asenjo on loan to Villareal, Bono has taken his place and is training with the first team. Courtois had words of praise for the great preseason that h team mate is having. "Bono is a very good goalkeeper. His style is similar to mine. It has good reflexes and goes right at the top. If the club can trust him then I’m sure he can be competing for the position with me. If one day I cannot play a game I trust him because he is a great goalkeeper. He has my support, the fans and the whole team for a goalkeeper and that is very important," he certified.

The player returned to make it clear that their decision to continue at Atletico Madrid has been successful. To play with great team like Atletico in the Chapions League is what he wanted. "We talked with Chelsea and they gave their opinion and I gave mine. For me it is very important to play because I cannot afford not to play. Competing with Cech is good for me but I'm comfortable here, with a great team playing in the Champions League. So I decided to stay here," he concluded.