Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has revealed that missing out on the winners' medal last year’s Champions League final has increased his motivation to win the coveted prize with Jose Mourinho’s side this season.
Courtois, last season on loan to Atletico Madrid reached the final of the Champions League where they faced their fierce cross-town rivals Real Madrid in Lisbon. 1-0 ahead and in last minute of normal time, Diego Simeone’s side looked to be heading for the trophy but a Sergio Ramos header pushed the game into extra time. And from thereon it was all Los Blancos as they registered a 4-1 win.
At the conclusion of last season, Courtois returned to his parent club Chelsea and has become their number one goalkeeper after relegating Petr Cech to the bench.
The Pensioners have successfully made their way to the Champions League round of 16 where they are scheduled to play the first leg of their tie against French Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain tomorrow at the Parc des Princes.
Talking to the official UEFA site, on being asked whether his desire to win the prestigious competition has further increased after last year’s loss, the goalkeeper insisted that it has.
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“Yes, of course.
“If you've been that close, you want it even more, because it's like you tasted it a little bit, to know what winning is like.
“We were really close, so now you even want to win it more.”
He added that if he reaches the final again and wins it, then the victory will taste even sweeter as a consequence of last year’s loss.
“And I think the next time, if there is a next time, I think if we win it, it will taste even better.”
Chelsea will look to seal an away win in Paris tomorrow to take a considerable advantage in the tie into the return leg.
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