Atlético Madrid’s on-loan goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, has spoken highly of the club’s latest preseason opponents, Costa Rican side Saprissa.
The 20-year-old acknowledged he didn’t know much about Saprissa prior to the match, but was surprised at the standard of the contest, likening it to a Europa League match.
“I didn’t know Saprissa because it is far from Europe and it is difficult to follow from there, but they have shown great strength and desire to compete,” Courtois told the press after the match.
“The game was like a league game or Europa League game and that suits us very well. We managed to finish the match with a clean sheet and that is very important. The defense has worked very well.”
The Belgian, an employee of Chelsea, was obviously looking ahead to the UEFA Super Cup, during which he’ll more than likely line up against his future team-mates.
“We still have a friendly and two league games before the Super Cup. We’re improving every day and just focus on the next game,” he said.
The Super Cup final will take place on August 31 at Monaco’s Stade Louis II.