Real Madrid's hopes of defending their UEFA Champions League title were dashed following a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabéu, culminating in a 5-1 aggregate loss. In the aftermath, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois candidly assessed both his team's performance and Arsenal's display.
"Arsenal were better than us, that’s why they’re through," Courtois acknowledged, highlighting the Gunners' superior organization and pressing. He noted the difficulty Real Madrid faced in creating opportunities, stating, "It was hard to create play. They’re a team that defends well and presses well. It’s hard to find openings."
Courtois also reflected on Real Madrid's tactical approach, suggesting a need for more cohesive team play: "We have to be self-critical, sometimes we need to play more as a team."
Despite saving a first-half penalty from Bukayo Saka, Courtois couldn't prevent Arsenal from securing their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009. The Gunners will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.
Match Statistics: Real Madrid vs. Arsenal – April 16, 2025
| Statistic | Real Madrid | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 66.1% | 33.9% |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 6 |
| Total Shots | 18 | 11 |
| Corners | 10 | 4 |
| Fouls Committed | 14 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
Do you agree with Courtois's assessment of Real Madrid's performance against Arsenal?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 17 Apr 2025 08:37
I agree, Arsenal has been amazing and Real Madrid couldn't cope with any of that.
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