Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ace insisted on speaking to the media after Man City defeat – report
Thibaut Courtois has never been one to shy away from the camera or the media. The Belgian shot-stopper has been one of Real Madrid’s regular faces in the post-match player interviews this season and his insights provide an accurate and unbiased review of the game.
After Real Madrid’s 4-0 demolition at the Etihad last night, not many players in white would have had the heart to face any media or entertain questions. After all, it is not easy to entertain questions after an embarrassment of such a degree.
According to reports from AS (h/t Madrid Xtra), Courtois was not the chosen one to speak to the press after last night’s defeat. Yet, he insisted that he wanted to do so and spoke in great detail with the media about the team’s poor showing on the night.
There was not much to celebrate for Real Madrid last night as they were taken to the cleaners by a Pep Guardiola masterpiece. If there was one silver lining, however, it was Courtois’ unbelievable showing in between the sticks.
Though the Belgian was beaten four times on the night, he saved Real Madrid’s blushes on multiple occasions. In fact, he was the only reason the scoreboard did not embarrass the Merengues any further.
He single-handedly denied Erling Haaland at least three clear goal-scoring opportunities on the night, all of which came from point-blank range. He made four saves on the night including three from inside the box.
Reports earlier in the day stated that Courtois in fact played the entire game against Manchester City while nursing a triceps injury.
The setback did not affect his performance on the night but Carlo Ancelotti would prefer to tread a safe path when dealing with a player so fundamental to his plans.
It remains to be seen in Courtois starts in goal for Real Madrid’s clash against Valencia this weekend. Considering that nothing rides on the result, it is likely that Andriy Lunin received a rare start.
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
