Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has spoken candidly after the club’s humbling exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Arsenal.
Following a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu and a 5-1 aggregate loss overall, Courtois pointed to the absence of a traditional striker—specifically Joselu—as a key reason for Madrid’s lack of attacking edge in the quarter-final.
Madrid faced an uphill battle after suffering a 3-0 defeat in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite having the home advantage in the return leg, the Spanish giants struggled to break down Arsenal’s disciplined defense.
Though they dominated possession, their efforts failed to translate into sufficient goal-scoring opportunities.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the second leg, and while Vinicius Junior briefly gave Madrid hope by capitalizing on a defensive lapse, Gabriel Martinelli’s late strike dashed any hopes of a comeback.
After the game, Courtois was openly critical of his team’s attacking performance.
He expressed concern that Madrid rely too heavily on individual brilliance rather than cohesive team play.
“We can’t always expect our forwards to beat multiple defenders and score wonder goals,” he said.
“We miss someone like Joselu, who brings presence in the box and offers a different dimension to our attack.”
Joselu, who scored 18 goals for Madrid last season, was transferred to Al-Gharafa in Qatar last summer. Courtois lamented the timing and impact of his departure, emphasizing how his aerial strength and ability to hold up play could have made a difference, especially against a team defending deep like Arsenal.
The Belgian goalkeeper also called for a tactical rethink, stating that the team needs to function more collectively in both attack and defense.
He stressed the importance of balance, pointing out that relying on counter-attacks and moments of magic is not a sustainable strategy at the elite level.
Courtois urged the team to learn from the defeat and refocus, as major competitions like La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Club World Cup still lie ahead.
Team captain Lucas Vazquez echoed Courtois’ sentiments and voiced his own frustration with Arsenal’s approach.
He claimed the visitors came primarily to defend, which made it challenging for Madrid to create clear scoring chances.
Vazquez admitted the team lacked patience and fluidity in possession but remained hopeful about the rest of the season, emphasizing the squad’s unity and desire to win silverware.
Amid this reflection, questions are also being raised about Kylian Mbappe’s influence.
While his talent is undeniable, critics argue that he has yet to deliver consistently in crucial matches.
His arrival was expected to be a game-changer, but so far, he has struggled to live up to that expectation in the biggest moments.
The underlying message from the players is clear: Real Madrid need a more balanced squad and tactical flexibility.
To remain competitive, the team must focus on unity, structured play, and possibly reinforcements in the summer, particularly in the striker position.
Madrid still have opportunities to end the season with silverware, but improvements are essential if they are to do so.
