Solari: “Courtois’ talent nothing new”

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari spoke to the press after the 2-0 win against Valencia this Sturday, a tale of two halves where Los Blancos dominated the first 45 minutes and managed to keep a clean sheet during the second half of the game.

“I’d like us to repeat what we did in the first half. In general, the game was good but we were really impressive in the first 45 minutes. The second half was different, Valencia had chances to draw level and really piled the pressure on,” said Solari to the media.

Courtois completed a very good performance saving a good chance by Valencia’s Batshuayi on what could’ve been the equalizer.

“We’ve got three top goalkeepers and we’ve got Luca too. We’re very well off in that department and Courtois’ talents are nothing new,” explained the coach about his starting goalkeeper.

Solari gave youngsters like Llorente, Ceballos, Reguilon or Valverde the chance to play and he was not disappointed. They will also get another opportunity to feature when Madrid take on Melilla in the second leg of the Copa del Rey.

“They’re the future of Real Madrid and they need to be part of the present. It gives me real satisfaction that players like Valverde, Reguilón and Marcos Llorente are here. We shouldn’t forget the hard work players put in in the lower divisions. We’re happy as a club because we have had players who have come up through the system and they’re now getting minutes in the first team,” said Solari.

France Football will reveal the winner of the 2018 Ballon D’Or and Solari explained what makes Modric a solid candidate to win it.

“He’s an exceptional player. He’s shown that right throughout his career. He’s a role model of personal self-improvement. He grew up in a difficult and tough environment and we don’t know if that’s perhaps what’s behind his personality. As for his quality, we just don’t know where he gets it from,” concluded the coach.