Real Madrid News
Bellingham and Courtois react after Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid – ‘They pinned us down’
Real Madrid’s performance against Liverpool ended in disappointment, with the team suffering a 0-2 defeat in the Champions League group stage.
Jude Bellingham, one of Madrid’s key midfielders, provided his perspective on the match, focusing on the team’s shortcomings and the bigger picture of their campaign.
Bellingham acknowledged that the team failed to control the game effectively. Poor ball retention and missed opportunities allowed Liverpool to dominate in ways that Real Madrid have not faced in years.
“We didn’t control the game, we didn’t maximise the time we had the ball, we lost the ball a lot. They pinned us down in positions we couldn’t do for years,” he began saying.
He admitted that the result was disappointing but stressed that losing to one of Europe’s strongest sides is not a humiliation.
“It’s a bad result against the best in Europe, but it’s not a disgrace to lose here. We have three games left and it’s important to win them all to have a chance of going through.”
On Mbappe’s missed penalty
The missed penalty by Kylian Mbappe at a crucial moment, when the score was 1-0, was also discussed. While Bellingham recognised the significance of that moment, he defended his teammate, pointing out that such situations are part of football.
He insisted that the penalty miss was not the reason for the defeat, as Liverpool’s overall performance was superior. Despite the setback, Bellingham expressed confidence that Mbappe would continue to deliver for the team in the future.
“It can happen. The pressure he has because of how good he is is huge. We didn’t lose because of the penalty. They played better than us. Kylian has to keep his head up and he will produce great moments for this club,” he said.
Thibaut Coutrois’ take
Thibaut Courtois also shared his thoughts on the match, acknowledging Liverpool’s dominance.
He highlighted Madrid’s struggles in the attacking phase, noting that while the team defended well in the first half, they failed to create significant chances or finish their counterattacks effectively.
“We competed well, we fought well, we defended well in the first half above all. Offensively things didn’t go well for us and we struggled to create danger.
“We had some good counterattacks but we didn’t manage to finish them well, in the last pass or the last dribble and that makes it difficult,” he said.
The Belgian goalkeeper admitted that the missed penalty was a turning point, but Liverpool’s second goal sealed Madrid’s fate.
“In the second half they quickly went 1-0 up, we had the chance to equalise with the penalty that we missed and we kept trying, but at 2-0 it was already difficult.”
Courtois mentioned that the team is currently dealing with a lack of depth due to injuries, but he refused to use it as an excuse.
He called for resilience and determination, emphasising the need for the available players to step up and compete in the remaining matches.
“We lacked a bit of play, but in the second half, we played better. Obviously, we are short of players, but we never use that as an excuse.
“We are who we are. “It could be a puncture that he has noticed. That is two or three weeks minimum, but we are the ones who are here and we have to keep fighting and competing,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid News
Arsenal in contact with Real Madrid forward’s camp over potential transfer – report
Doubts about Rodrygo Goes’ long-term future at Real Madrid having been growing for some time.
The Brazilian’s situation had become uncomfortable over the past couple of seasons as he experienced a sudden decline in form. And, just when it seemed like he was about to turn things around, an ACL injury ruled him out in March earlier this year.
With Rodrygo now facing an extended spell on the sidelines, his recovery will be crucial. He is expected to return in December or January, and the club will monitor how he responds physically before determining what role he will play under Jose Mourinho.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Rodrygo
Now, according to TEAMtalk (h/t Bernabeu Digital), Arsenal are in contact with Rodrygo’s representatives over a potential future move.
The report states that the Gunners had already attempted to sign the Brazilian before his injury, and their interest has now resurfaced ahead of a possible move in the summer of 2027.
The Premier League champions had also explored the possibility of signing Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid this past summer, before he signed a new long-term contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Now, their attention seems to have switched Vinicius’ fellow Brazilian forward who is closing in on his return from the ACL rupture.
Real Madrid want to keep Rodrygo until the summer
As already reported, Rodrygo will not leave Real Madrid in January. The intention is for the winger to regain full fitness and become available to Mourinho for the second half of the season.
Real Madrid are not considering selling the former Santos wonderkid during the January transfer window.
Instead, the club intend to reassess his situation next summer, once he has had the opportunity to recover and demonstrate his form on the pitch.
The plan is to have the Brazilian fit and available for the second half of the campaign before making a final decision at the end of the season.
Rodrygo’s performances after returning from injury, together with Mourinho’s assessment of his role in the squad, will help determine what happens next.
Depending on those factors, Real Madrid could consider allowing him to leave or decide that he still has an important future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
For now, Arsenal’s interest remains a possibility to watch, but Real Madrid are focused on Rodrygo’s recovery rather than negotiating a January departure.
