Thibaut Cortois, Belgian goalkeeper, assured ahead of Sunday's round of 16 Euro Cup match against Portugal that in recent years his evolution had been greater than that of Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he will face in Seville and with whom he will not He came to coincide at Real Madrid and highlighted the improvement of his teammate Eden Hazard, who “is already close to his best level.”
Courtois commented that he has reviewed some of Cristiano Ronaldo's matches, to refresh “where he likes to hit.” CR7 is the top scorer of the Eurocup, with five goals. “He is an excellent player, obviously” but “we have a plan to stop Portugal in general, not a player,” he said about the defense against the Portuguese team.
Courtois, who did not coincide with Cristiano at Real Madrid, recalled the days when he was measured against him when he was goalkeeper for Atlético (2011-2014) and the Portuguese forward for Real Madrid (2009-2018). “I think he is still the same player as when I was at Atlético. I have evolved more ”, said Courtois, who added that“ it has always been special to play against him ”.
Eden Hazard's recovery
The Belgian goalkeeper also referred to his teammate at Real Madrid and captain of the Belgian team, Eden Hazard, who was trying to reach his best level after two years plagued by injuries and without continuity.
“I see him in training and he trains very well. He is very close to his best form. The last few months in Madrid have not been easy for him. He trained well but then suffered very good injuries, ”Courtois said.
“Mentally he is very strong (…). Then he has to pick up his rhythm, play minutes, ”said Hazard's goalkeeper, who barely had a few minutes in the victories against Russia and Denmark but played the 90 minutes at a good level in the victory against Finland in the third matchday of the tournament phase. groups.
Study of penalties
“I have a list of analysts with the last 10 or 15 penalties they have taken. Before the game I know where I'm going to jump, unless I see something in the game, ”Courtois said at a press conference this Friday.
Roberto Martínez's ‘red devils’ will fly from Brussels to Seville on Saturday to play at the Cartuja on Sunday at 21.00 CET (19.00 GMT) against the current European champion.
The Belgium and Real Madrid goalkeeper predicted that the confrontation will be “a great match” between the defending champion and a solid contender who has “confidence” in the result.
“It is a team to go far. It is a pity that we cross in eighths (…). It is a great selection. We will be prepared and so will they. I am confident of a good result, ”Courtois said.