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Atletico Madrid's Thibaut Courtois wants Vicente Calderon crowd to act as 12th man against Valencia on Sunday
The capital-city side host Unai Emery's men this weekend and the Belgian stopper is hoping that the home faithful can help Diego Simeone's team make it difficult for the visitors
4 Feb 2012 11:49:00
By Gareth McKnight
Thibault Courtois - Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois knows that his side will be in for a tough game against Valencia on Sunday but has called for the Vicente Calderon crowd to act as a 12th man to aid the hosts to victory.
Los Colchoneros have won their last three Primera Division games and are up to seventh place in the La Liga standings; the Belgium international is hoping to keep the run going this weekend.
"I hope the stadium is full against Valencia, because if the Vicente Calderon is full, for us as players it helps us to do better," the stopper, on loan from Chelsea, told AS.
"The Valencia match is an important game because it is against a team that is third in the league. It is essential for us to win, but it's going to be a tough game."
The 19-year-old replaced David de Gea in the summer, who left the Spanish capital to join Manchester United, and the former Genk man insisted that he has fitted in well to a new team and country.
"My adaptation has been good from the start. The people are friendly and life is great here," he concluded.
Thibaut has impressed since moving to Atletico and recently admitted that he wants to stay with Diego Simeone's men for the forseeable future.
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Los Colchoneros have won their last three Primera Division games and are up to seventh place in the La Liga standings; the Belgium international is hoping to keep the run going this weekend.
"I hope the stadium is full against Valencia, because if the Vicente Calderon is full, for us as players it helps us to do better," the stopper, on loan from Chelsea, told AS.
"The Valencia match is an important game because it is against a team that is third in the league. It is essential for us to win, but it's going to be a tough game."
The 19-year-old replaced David de Gea in the summer, who left the Spanish capital to join Manchester United, and the former Genk man insisted that he has fitted in well to a new team and country.
"My adaptation has been good from the start. The people are friendly and life is great here," he concluded.
Thibaut has impressed since moving to Atletico and recently admitted that he wants to stay with Diego Simeone's men for the forseeable future.
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
21:38 BST
And it's now 3-1 to Turkey! An own goal from Pepe and we're into time added on. Do people think Portugal will qualify from their group?
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