The Real Madrid goalkeeper has warned of the threat posed by La Dea ahead of August 14’s match with last season’s Europa League winners.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has acknowledged the challenge posed by Atalanta ahead of their UEFA Super Cup encounter on August 14th.
The Italian club, fresh off their first Europa League victory, will face the Champions League winners in Warsaw on August 14 for a battle between the continent's best.
Los Blancos defeated Borussia Dortmund in the continent’s premier club competition in June, while Ademola Lookman inspired Atalanta with a hat-trick to dispatch Bayer Leverkusen with ease in Dublin.
What Courtois said about Atalanta’s menace
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Looking ahead to the encounter, the Belgian shot-stopper explained why he is wary of Gian Piero Gasperini’s troops.
“Atalanta are a good side. They press all over the park; we played against them a few years ago in the Champions League and it was a tough game,” Courtois told UEFA.com.
“So, we know it'll be a tough one, but we're really going to try to win it. It's what makes us us. Of course, we want to win it.
"We'll try to be ready for it. We're already going through tactical sessions, even though not everyone's here yet. But we'll be ready.”
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While the potential for a record-breaking sixth European Super Cup title exists, Courtois downplayed its significance, insisting that the primary aim is claiming another trophy to demonstrate the team's ambition.
“We don't really pay too much attention to records,” said Courtois. “Naturally, with the team we have, which includes many youngsters who are eager to win trophies and new trophies, I'm sure we'll do everything we can to win.
“If that means breaking yet another record, it's a nice bonus, but that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is to try to win this trophy. We know we can expect a tough game against Atalanta and that we need to be ready.”
What comes next?
Real Madrid concluded pre-season preparations with a victory over Chelsea in the United States, notching a timely first off-season win ahead of next week's Atalanta test.