Atletico not feeling the pressure

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says his team are not feeling the pressure that comes with challenging Barcelona atop La Liga.

The capital outfit have begun the league campaign unbeaten, winning six of their games to occupy second place in the standings, leading to calls that the side could be on course to challenge for the title.

But while the Belgium goalkeeper believes his team are more respected and feared than ever, the burden of fighting in the upper echelons of the top flight is not proving to be a heavy weight on him or his colleagues.

“Atleti have always been a good team and well respected, but now we probably command more respect and other sides are more afraid of us because we have won many games,” Courtois told reporters.

“Rivals are forced to change their game against us. We have no pressure to be (in second place). We have stayed loyal to the same principle – to take each game as it comes.

“We have not acknowledged the fact that we are with Barcelona. We believe in (our abilities ahead of) every game. We want to win and there is no more pressure than before.”

Courtois, who is on loan from Chelsea, looked ahead to Sunday’s La Liga clash against Real Sociedad, who are 13th, and spoke of the importance of picking up the three points.

“We have to look at ourselves,” he said. “The most important thing for us is the match tomorrow and we have to stay focused on it.

“We have seen a bit of how (Real Sociedad) play. It’s going to be a tough game because whenever you are the visitors, the encounter is always tricky.

“It’s important to win to stay up high (on the table). We know it will be a tough game but we have the quality to win. We expect to win.”