From a gangly, unknown teenager to one of the best goalkeepers in world football. It’s fair to say Thibaut Courtois made quite an impact in his three years on loan at the Vicente Calderón, and returns to parent club Chelsea a hero after helping us to the La Liga title.
Join us as we look back on a sensational three years with Atleti.
Score, and hang on for dear life! This has apparently been Atlético’s game plan in their last three home games, all of which they have won by the same 1-0 margin. After getting off to a great start against Villarreal on Saturday, opening up the scoring within the first 15 minutes of action, los Rojiblancos spent most of their time warding off the Yellow Submarine.
While eternal rivals Real Madrid were en route to a second straight loss in less than a week at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Atlético had to sweat one out themselves at home against Granada Wednesday night. Los Rojiblancos made their fans wait until just past the hour mark before they could erupt in celebration.
15 home games into the present La Liga campaign, and Atlético remain unvanquished at the Vicente Calderón. Espanyol, the latest visitors to ‘Cholo Castle’, certainly put up a fight, but los Rojiblancos were able to gut out the result for their third straight triumph in all competitions.
Thibaut Courtois has confirmed he will remain on loan at Atlético for another year. In a press conference on Saturday, while on duty with the Belgian national team, he told the gathered Belgian media: “I’m also playing at Atlético Madrid next season.” The 21-year-old explained the rationale behind his decision, saying that “if the Devils
Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, on loan from Chelsea, had a forgettable Madrid derby debut having been sent off after just 20 minutes of play at the Bernabéu Saturday.