Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid preview - Nothing to fear - Courtois

Posted Saturday, September 24, 2011 by PA

On-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is confident Atletico Madrid can continue their impressive form against European champions Barcelona, declaring there is "no fear" in the Rojiblancos camp.

Courtois has started every Primera Division game for Atletico this season after joining them on a year-long deal from Chelsea.

And he has been impressed with the way they have overcome a slow start to record back-to-back 4-0 victories - against Racing Santander and Sporting Gijon - in the past week.

Radamel Falcao, another summer recruit, has stolen the headlines with successive hat-tricks but Atletico's defence, their Achilles heel in recent seasons, has looked very assured.

A trip to the Nou Camp represents a far greater test of Gregorio Manzano's new-look side and Courtois is relishing the challenge.

The Belgian told the AS newspaper: "We have a good team and can beat them. It is not impossible to win at the Nou Camp.

"Barcelona are a very, very strong team with great players but we have a good side.

"It is a very important game but we have no fear."

Barca's last home game, against Osasuna, ended 8-0 to the Catalans.

"They have great footballers and for me and the defence it will be the ultimate test against one of the strongest teams in the world," he added.

"But we are confident we can beat the Blaugrana."

Atletico have conceded just one goal in their four league games and Courtois believes the likes of Falcao deserve as much credit for that as the back four.

"I think it's very important for the forwards to work hard on defending," he said.

"Against Sporting Falcao worked very hard...as did Arda Turan."

Barca have sparkled at times this season - most notably against Osasuna - but they have not yet hit the consistency levels which enabled them to win the last three Primera Division crowns.

A midweek draw at Valencia - they were also held 2-2 at Real Sociedad on September 10 - again exposed defensive frailties but key midfielder Xavi is not concerned.

He said: "The team is good, as always.

"We dominated so much (against Valencia) we should have won.

"Two draws is not good enough for us, though, as we have lost four points."

One constant so far this season has been the form of Cesc Fabregas, who, with his goal at the Mestalla on Wednesday, became the first Barcelona player to score on his first four league appearances for the club.

Cynics questioned whether Xavi and Fabregas could play together following the latter's summer arrival from Arsenal but the long-serving 31-year-old claims the alliance has taken his game to new heights.

"I think we complement each other quite well. He goes up and I stay back and cover for him or vice-versa," he said.

"We have shown that many times this year. I think Cesc makes my football better."

Barcelona suffered an injury blow last night when it was confirmed Holland midfielder Ibrahim Afellay could miss up to six months after suffering knee ligament damage in training.

Afellay, who joined Barca from PSV Eindhoven in January, had just got back into Pep Guardiola's line-up after missing the start of the season due to a hamstring injury.