Tuesday, 30th October, 2012
Sitting above Real Madrid in La Liga has given Atletico Madrid a greater feeling of pleasure than even if they were top of the table, according to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Currently Atletico are second in the standings behind Barcelona, though it is only goal difference keeping Diego Simeone’s men off the top of the table.
Real Madrid in comparison are fourth, having lost two games so far, to Atletico’s none, and drawn two, to Atletico’s one. That translates into an eight-point advantage for the Europa League winners.
There is also now a genuine possibility that Atletico will go into December’s Madrid derby sitting ahead of their fierce local rivals.
For Courtois and the rest of the Atletico team, being above Jose Mourinho’s men is a source of great pride.
"Being in front of the enemy in Madrid gives us more pleasure than first place", the goalkeeper told Sporza.
relatedNewsStory"Our fans are very happy and we hope that it lasts as long as possible.
"We have won eight straight games in the league.
"Many teams are now afraid to play us and that is great."
The Belgian shot-stopper, who is in the second year of a loan spell from English giants Chelsea, also spoke about how coach Diego Simeone, who took over midway through the last campaign, has improved Atletico.
"Diego Simeone has changed a few things.
"We play more aggressively. He is also very strong tactically.
"Currently the approach works well."
