Courtois explained that Manchester City will have more stress than Real Madrid to face the Champions League

Thibaut Courtois went back in time and settled in the 2019-20 season. In that course, marked by the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, Real Madrid and Manchester City met in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The English team won 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu and the Etihad to continue in the tournament. This has been a situation that the goalkeeper still cannot forget.

In fact, on the eve of the new tie in the 2021-22 semifinals, the Belgian referred to those commitments and admitted that he will seek a rematch. “Two years ago we lost twice 2-1 to them, but I felt we could have done more. But it didn’t come out.”expressed the goalkeeper in his podcast on YouTube called Thibaut Talks.

“I know what it means to win at City, also to beat them away from home, we hope so”, added the ‘1’ of the ‘Whites’. Immediately, the goalkeeper highlighted the benefits of the rival. “Guardiola’s City is a very difficult team, that moves a lot, that likes to have possession, has a lot of play between the lines, it will be a difficult team, but I have faith that we can get through”.

On the other hand, Courtois considers that the fact of having the LaLiga title at hand (they only need one point to win), will be a great advantage. In this sense, Thibaut explained that the ‘Citizens’ may arrive mentally more worn out because, although they are leaders of the Premier League, they are one point away from Liverpool, which fights day by day -and also in the League of Champions- for winning both trophies.

“It will be a very tough tie, the good thing is that in the league this weekend, and we play Tuesday, Saturday and Wednesday, with a little more rest. If we have the opportunity to win the league on Saturday, then there is also time to celebrate in the afternoon and then concentrate on the second leg. They also play the Premier, they are one point behind Liverpool and they will have more stress “analyzed the archer.

In closing, Courtois recognized that it suits him better to finish the Champions League tie at the Santiago Bernabéu, since the pressure of the public is a stimulus for them and, incidentally, he recalled what happened in the round of 16 and quarters of the tournament. “I prefer to play the second leg at home, otherwise those comebacks against PSG and Chelsea would not have been possible”.