Courtois spoke at a press conference ahead of the match against Benfica, corresponding to the second leg of the Champions playoff, which will be played at the Bernabéu (Wednesday, 9:00 pm CEST; Orange TV and Movistar Liga de Campeones): “The most important thing is to have the fans with us, cheering throughout the game, and to start well from the very first second. It’s a tricky scoreline because if they score a goal, they equalize the tie. We have to start well, play well, stay focused, with intensity and attitude. If we do that, we will win.”

Racism
“We are at a significant moment in football to end these things. In the dressing room, we know what Vinicius has told us. I don’t want to individualize. It has happened many times in football, not only on the pitch but also in the stands.”

Mourinho’s statements
“Mourinho is Mourinho, and as a coach, you defend your club and what your player has told you. What disappoints me is using Vini’s celebration. He didn’t do anything wrong. He celebrated as many opponents have done against us because when they score against us, the euphoria is double or triple. It’s happened, and we need to move on. We cannot justify an alleged act of racism with a celebration.”

On Chilavert’s comments
“It’s also regrettable. You can’t say things like that. Such things have no place in today’s world or anywhere, especially coming from another former professional colleague.”

Rui Costa’s statements
“Using Valverde’s situation has nothing to do with it; they are game incidents. I don’t think Valverde intended to hit the opponent. If you want to push someone away, you shove them or remove their hand. Regarding Prestianni, it’s difficult. In the end, it’s going to be word against word. They will believe what their player says, and we are one hundred percent with Vini.”

“Vini has been kicked thousands of times on the field by defenders, had clashes with players, and has never said something like this. I know Vini heard it one hundred percent; he has said it many times, and I believe Vini. Since he covered his mouth with the shirt, we can never know. Benfica will defend their player, and that’s it. Then UEFA and the institutions will decide.”

If Prestianni plays, will Madrid players greet him?
“It’s something we haven’t discussed with the players, and we’ll see what we decide as a team.”

Benfica’s image and homophobic insults
“I’ve seen the images of the Benfica stands during the match, and it’s deplorable to see that in a stadium because you may like or dislike a player, but making such gestures is regrettable. I don’t know if they have condemned it; I haven’t followed it closely. I haven’t seen if they’ve said they will pursue those who made those gestures. Of everything that has happened, many things have not been done correctly. Both racism and homophobia are unacceptable. And their insults are equally strong. If they don’t cover their mouths there... we can imagine that I think they did say it.”

Pamplona penalty
“It’s difficult. As a goalkeeper, we are always unprotected in those moments, and so are defenders. Nowadays, with VAR, the image is frozen, slowed down... It’s true that I touch him a bit, but he comes with the force to stop his foot and places it slightly under mine. But at no time am I tripping him. Moreover, he complains about his shin.”

“I think there wasn’t a goal-scoring action. The referee tells me that since I leave my goal, it’s an action that could lead to a goal. At some point, I can say he’s right, but he didn’t have the ball under control. Then, there have been other actions over the weekend with stomps that weren’t called. I think if it’s not me and it’s Alaba, for example, it’s not a penalty. But because I’m a goalkeeper, it was called. In the end, I have to accept my mistake.”

“I don’t make a gesture toward the player to step on him. We both go to the ground more or less at the same time. He comes with momentum and gets slightly underneath. We can’t change it; we have to accept it, and that’s it. As a goalkeeper, I’d say it’s not a penalty. A forward would say it is. We can’t change it, but with VAR, everything has to be shown, including what happens after the action.”

Anti-racism protocol
“They are getting better. In the end, the problem at that moment… It’s Vinicius who decides whether we continue playing. If he decides not to play, as a team, we would stand by him, and we would have to see what the UEFA official decides. Then the other things that happened in the stands are reasons to stop a match and eject those people. We don’t see what’s happening in the stands; some might see it, but it happens at moments when we are focused on the game. There must be other officials who act.”

Should players who cover their mouths be sanctioned?
“It’s difficult because sometimes you want to comment something to your teammate so you can’t hear it, but if it’s to stop racist insults or other types of insults, it’s welcome. In the United States, many players wear mics, or the referees, who are close to them, and you can hear everything. If it’s to fight racism, there’s no problem.”

Focusing on the match
“For us, it’s not a problem. We are professionals; we have to train and work. We know tomorrow is an important match, and we have to win and advance. Also in La Liga. We have to try to block out the external noise. The media is important, but as players, we shouldn’t read too much because it’s not good for us. We have to listen to what the coach says, with all respect to what you think about us. We’ve trained well and are ready for tomorrow.”

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.