Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes the team is ready for the start of La Liga after completing its preseason preparations with a victory over Schalke.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV following the final friendly of the summer, Courtois highlighted Madrid’s defensive solidity, physical condition and chance creation as encouraging signs ahead of the return of competitive football next week.
The Schalke game represented Madrid’s final opportunity to sharpen things before the season begins, and
Courtois was pleased with what he saw.
“It was the last test before LaLiga starts next week and it was important to play a good match. I think we did. We were very solid at the back. We created a lot of chances, played well, and physically I think everyone is in great shape. I think we all worked well and that’s important to get started,” Courtois said.
Beyond the performance itself, Courtois emphasized the mood within the squad. Real Madrid’s preparations for the new campaign came after their participation in the World Cup, leaving the players with the task of gradually rebuilding their fitness before the start of the domestic season.
According to Courtois, there is no shortage of motivation within the group.
“We’re very excited. After the World Cup, we’ve been getting back into shape little by little, but the team is very eager, training very well, and everyone seriously wants a great season. I see a lot of commitment, and I think that’s important. We’re really looking forward to getting started.”
One of the themes Courtois returned to was concentration.
For a Real Madrid team preparing for another season in which the margins at the highest level will often be extremely small, maintaining focus defensively — particularly during set pieces and transitional moments — will be important. Courtois believes the team has approached those details with the necessary seriousness during preseason.
“A lot of concentration at every moment of the game. On corner kicks, free kicks, everyone has to be focused every second of the game, playing well and seriously. I think that’s what we’re doing.”
Courtois himself also appears determined to enter the season in peak condition.
The Belgian revealed that he continued working in the gym during his vacation and even returned ahead of schedule in order to complete individual work before joining the rest of the squad.
“I did a lot of gym work during my vacation to be ready for the first training session. I came back a couple of days earlier than the manager had asked because I felt I needed to do some individual work before I could really get going. The first few days are always very demanding, but physically I’m fine. Today I also tried some long balls and everything went well. I’m hoping for a good season with lots of matches and that we go as far as possible in everything. That will make me happy,” Courtois said.
That preparation will be particularly important for a player whose reliability remains one of Real Madrid’s biggest advantages. Courtois has established himself as one of the pillars of the team, and his comments after the Schalke game suggest he has approached the summer with the intention of being physically prepared from the opening week rather than playing his way into shape.
The reference to his long distribution was also notable. Courtois has become increasingly important to Madrid’s ability to bypass pressure and initiate attacks directly from deep, and having the Belgian comfortable both physically and technically will give the team another tool when opponents press aggressively.
