Courtois responds to Atletico fans: The Atletico Madrid fans threw toy-rats at Thibaut Courtois during the game.
Real Madrid defeated their city rivals Atletico 3-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano in the heavyweight league clash.
The goals from Casemiro, Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale downed Atletico Madrid, as Real climbed to second position in the league table.
Antoine Griezmann scored the sole goal for the host side.
Thibaut Courtois returned to Atletico Madrid for the first time since joining Real this season, and the fans showed their hostility towards the goalkeeper.
Courtois spent three seasons at the Los Colchoneros on loan from Chelsea. The goalkeeper played a key role in Atletico’s title-winning campaign in 2013/14 season, where they also reached the final of the Champions League.
Courtois responds to Atletico fans:
Atletico Madrid’s fans threw toy-rats at Thibaut Courtois as he emerged from the tunnel for the warm-ups.
The Belgian goalkeeper lifted the La Liga title with Atletico in 2014, and also won the Copa del Rey and Supercopa titles with the club.
The Atletico fans further damaged Courtois’ commemorative plaque outside the stadium, surrounding it with toy-rats and a huge red cross.
And the Real Madrid’s keeper reacted to the desecration of his plaque ahead of the Madrid derby. He insisted that he gets more motivation from hate.
“I don’t mind. If that makes them happy, then good for them,” he said.
“If they want to throw things at my head, it won’t affect me. It’s more motivation.”
Earlier, Courtois was critical about Diego Simeone, under whom he played during his three seasons at Atletico Madrid. Simeone criticised the decision of awarding the Ballon d’Or to Luka Modric.
“Simeone criticises Madrid so as to be popular with his fans,” Courtois said. “He always does it, attacks Madrid for being the best in the world.
“Everyone’s opinions have to be respected, everyone can say their personal opinion.
“But I was there for three years and when you always fight against Real Madrid, who are the best team in the world, you’re going to say things to generate populism.”
