Marcelo has won the Champions League four times, Thibaut Courtois wants his first triumph – eight years after he was once denied the title by Real Madrid, of all teams.
One a veteran, the other a debutant, at least in terms of Champions League triumph. Sitting in the Stade de France on Friday, they both had just one goal: to win the handle pot. Left-back Marcelo and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Marcelo, 34 since two weeks, already a Champions League winner in 2014 and 2016 to 2018 with Real Madrid, insisted: “We know what it means to play a final. We are prepared.” And above all: “We deserve to be in the final. That’s why we also have high hopes of winning it.”
His contract expires with the final against Liverpool. At the beginning of the season, the plan was to return to his parent club Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro. But recently the wind has changed, in the meantime it has almost become a storm: the Brazilian would like to stay, for another year. The crowd favourite has long had the backing of Madrid’s media and fans. “Everyone knows my love for Real Madrid,” said the man with the Pumuckl haircut, who has mostly been a substitute in recent years, in light of his 15 years at the club. “Real Madrid gave me everything.” He said he was all about “making history again. I don’t need a statue. “
The fact that at least making history could be something is also down to coach Carlo Ancelotti: “I’ve known him for eight years.” He can only say positive things about the Mister. Whether in tactics or people management. And above all: “He always gives us the feeling that we are all important.” Keeper Courtois agrees: “Our good team structure is a product of leadership, and the Mister provides that. That’s why we’re here today. “
Courtois wants first CL title
The 30-year-old keeper has not yet been here for the 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 successes, so unlike Marcelo, the Belgian is finally looking for his first triumph on Saturday from 9pm. In 2014, as goalkeeper of local rivals Atletico Madrid, he had lost the Lisbon final against the royals. By the narrowest of margins. Atletico led 1:0 until injury time. It was only in extra time that Real won 4:1. Marcelo scored in the 118th minute to make it 3-1, so Courtois admitted: “I’m glad to be on the other side today.” And looking back to Liverpool and 2018, when he himself played for Chelsea, he added: “Liverpool also know that Real win finals.” 2018 in Kiev against the Reds with 3:1. Courtois therefore has “big illusions”.
