Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois took center stage in a thrilling Champions League quarterfinal game and took responsibility for Declan Rice’s incredible opening free kick goal during Tuesday’s team’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal.
Rice made a lasting impression on the match even though this was his first successful direct free kick in professional competition. He scored twice in the second half at the Emirates Stadium and Mikel Merino’s late third goal to give Arsenal a significant lead in the match.
Real Madrid, who has a legendary record of salvaging seemingly hopeless circumstances in European tournaments, must now repeat that feat on April 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in order to guarantee a spot in the semifinals.
In a conversation with a source, Courtois stated, “I thought I had positioned the wall effectively,” acknowledging that he frequently adds a man to the wall. Although I accept blame for that, I reasoned that Rice wouldn’t produce much curl on the ball. Indeed, the second goal was excellent.
Courtois also pointed out that the situation didn’t justify the fouls that resulted in the free kicks, saying they weren’t deemed essential. He went on, “Perhaps we should exercise more caution and refrain from committing such fouls.”
Despite reaching the Copa del Rey final and currently sitting second in La Liga, Madrid’s season has been tainted by inconsistent play. With 15 titles under their belt, they have a history of dominating the European Cup and will take on an Arsenal squad that has never won the coveted tournament.
With the harsh reality of Tuesday’s performance in mind, coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his team now had a “small possibility” of moving on to the next round. He said, “If we look at the performance tonight, it doesn’t offer much hope.” However, football is dynamic, and we are aware that unexpected things might happen. We must maintain our faith since nobody saw Rice score those free kicks.
The full-back “If there’s any team in the world capable of turning this around, it’s us—especially at home, supported by our fans,” Lucas Vázquez said in agreement.
Following consecutive losses, including a 2-1 loss to Valencia earlier, Madrid’s players voiced their displeasure. Jude Bellingham, a midfielder, put it succinctly when he said, “We are mainly disappointed with ourselves. We must evaluate how we performed. Our season has been plagued by similar trends when we have lost points. To plan a comeback, something extraordinary will be needed.
“We must approach this with humility and honesty. We must acknowledge that anything can happen in the return leg and accept the situation completely. We can overcome obstacles and score goals in difficult situations, as history has demonstrated. Giving up goes against the basic foundation of this club’s philosophy,” he said.
In order to prepare for the return leg against Arsenal, Madrid will then go to Alavés on Sunday.
