Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save on a Bukayo Saka penalty in the 10th minute, but it wasn’t enough for Real Madrid as Arsenal took a 2-1 win at the Bernabéu. The visitors had already secured a 3-0 advantage in the first leg, booking their spot in the Champions League semifinals.
A Night to Forget
Courtois said Arsenal was the better team and Madrid didn’t create enough chances. “When you’re awarded a penalty and save it, you keep believing,” he said. The Belgian goalkeeper praised Arsenal’s defense, saying they were well-organized and made it hard for Madrid to score. Madrid’s supporters were behind them, but it wasn’t enough.
The team’s lack of a clear target man, like Joselu, was noticeable. Madrid’s attack lacked clarity, and they struggled to score. “We crossed a lot, but we didn’t have a proper striker upfront,” Courtois said. Arsenal’s defense was solid, and Madrid’s individual efforts weren’t enough to break them down.
Room for Improvement
Courtois also criticized Madrid’s tendency to rely on individual brilliance rather than teamwork. “We need to build more collective plays, not just individual actions,” he said. “If Vinicius or Kylian is marked by two players, a one-on-one situation works once, but not five times.” He emphasized the need for the team to work together and follow their coach’s instructions.
Despite the disappointment, Madrid still has several key objectives to focus on; they’re still in the running for the LaLiga title, they’ll face Barcelona in a crucial final, and they’ll compete in the Club World Cup. “We still have a lot of the season ahead of us,” Courtois said. The team thanked their fans for their support, and Courtois hopes they can bring them joy in the rest of the season.