Courtois: “It`s non-stop and we're going to try to get some rest as we look to keep on winning" | OneFootball

Real Madrid picked up a crucial win against Athletic at the Santiago Bernabéu to stretch their lead at the top of the league table. Thibaut Courtois, who produced more heroics in goal, analysed his side’s victory: “We did really well in the first half, maybe we didn't create many chances, but we had a lot of shots. The goal came and in the second half they came out more aggressively and we weren't as accurate in our passing. In the last 15 minutes we made it difficult for ourselves because we needed more composure and to relieve some pressure. They had some chances, but in the end it was 1-0 and three precious points”.

“We're playing a lot of matches in a row and sometimes you try to save yourself a bit, but in a match against an opposition like this you can't do that. They played with great intensity after the changes and that's when we struggled to make the right passes. I think if we had managed to relieve that pressure we could’ve scored the second or third. Anything can happen until the final whistle”.

Second-half "They're not a bad side and when they saw the way we were playing, they made changes and found way to cause us problems. They made it difficult for us and had a few chances, but our goal came at a good time".

Fixtures "We're playing very well at the minute, we've dropped a few points along the way, but are doing well on the whole. We've got a big game against Real Sociedad on Saturday, then we play Inter as we look to finish top of the group before we move in to the derby. It's non-stop and we're going to try to get some rest as we look to keep on winning".

The saves "The save from Raúl was point-blank, he headed it into the ground and it's not easy. For the second one I just tried to make myself big and cover the space under my feet".

Ballon d'Or "I think Benzema deserves it, but it's a strange award. If you look at the people who are up there, they've won the Copa America, Euros or Champions League, and that's the way it always is. Apparently the year is only about one or two cups and that's all they see, not the whole year. Hopefully we'll win some trophies this year and he'll win it next year". Lucas V.: “We showed we can play well and dig deep when we have to​” “It was a tough game. We knew they defend well and fight until the end. The team generally played well, we played some good stuff. We showed we can play well and dig deep when we have to. Perhaps if we’d been more clinical in front of goal we wouldn’t have had to struggle so much at the end”

“Ancelotti demands commitment, both in attack and in defence. From Benzema through to Courtois, everyone in the side fought to win back possession, the second balls and the move the ball around quickly. The team did a good job”.

Closing stages "During the course of a season there's always games where we have to dig in a bit more. The team showed today that we know how to dig in and pull together and defend and that's pleasing".

Key save "Courtois pulled off a great save, it's his job and he's good at it. For mine there's a pass to Dani García and I read that he's going to shoot. The ball goes in a direction where I can get across and I throw myself at it. I'm lucky that it hits me and goes out for a corner".

Momentum "We're on a good run, this is a good run we're on. We've got five very important games coming up and we're going in to them like they're finals. If we manage to do well, it'll give us a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season".