Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois has claimed that the Spanish giants simply win finals as they prepare to take on Liverpool for the Champions League crown.
The two sides come together at the Stade de France on Saturday evening aiming to add to their impressive European trophy hauls. Los Blancos have the opportunity to claim an unprecedented 14th continental crown, whilst Liverpool lag behind but are still in a position to be named champions of Europe for the seventh time.
There is plenty of experience in the two dugouts, too. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is heading into the fourth Champions League final of his career, having led Borussia Dortmund to the showpiece in 2013 and Liverpool to three finals, in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Meanwhile, opposite number Carlo Ancelotti has been successful on three occasions in the past, whilst Real have won their last seven Champions League finals - not finishing as runners-up since 1981. Real goalkeeper Courtois has now offered his view from the Spanish side’s dressing room and claims that there is confidence that they will claim the trophy based on their history.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the Belgian said: “They’ve already played one final against Madrid in 2018. It was different for me. Real Madrid, when they play a final, they win it, and so now I’m on the right side of history.”
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Heading into the clash in the French capital, Liverpool have the chance to complete a cup treble this season having already claimed the Carabao and FA Cups on the domestic front. Whilst the Reds were successful at Wembley on both occasions, it took penalty shootouts against Chelsea for the Merseyside outfit to secure those trophies.
Ahead of the Champions League final, Courtois has already claimed that he would be comfortable in stepping up to the spot should the game go the distance.
He said: “I wouldn’t be one of the first five, for sure. But maybe after, if you need to shoot you have to shoot. I don’t fear it.
“It is a moment to shine. I remember that in pre-season with Chelsea against PSG I scored one and in the Community Shield against Arsenal I missed one. [Antonio] Conte put me there because he knew I could shoot it well but obviously standing on the spot in an important moment is different.
“We won one against Atletico Madrid in the Super Cup when I saved one penalty. This season I have stopped three. You study ahead. Hopefully it will not come to that but I will be ready.”
