Real Madrid News
Thibaut Courtois reveals what Real Madrid must improve after Inter victory: ‘Match could have ended 4-4.’
Thibaut Courtois has admitted Real Madrid need to improve their control after surviving a chaotic Champions League encounter with Inter Milan.
Real Madrid eventually secured a 2–1 victory, but the Belgian goalkeeper was forced to remain alert until the final whistle as Inter created enough opportunities to make the contest far more uncomfortable than the scoreline suggested.
Courtois believes the quality of both teams made the game particularly unpredictable, while acknowledging that Real Madrid failed to manage the match once they had taken the advantage.
“We played against a great opponent, one of the best teams in Europe. The match could have ended 4–4.
“We capitalised on their mistakes and should have sealed the win earlier; we didn’t, and we were under pressure right until the end,” he analysed.
Courtois demands more control
The Real Madrid goalkeeper identified one particular weakness that allowed Inter to remain in contention.
Rather than simply pointing to defensive problems, Courtois highlighted the team’s inability to slow the game down through possession.
“Sometimes we lack a bit of control, a bit of possession and a bit of composure.
“The match got far too frantic towards the end of the second half; that’s something we need to improve on,” he added.
Real Madrid’s promising start under Mourinho
Despite the concerns, Courtois remains positive about Real Madrid’s progress under Jose Mourinho.
The Champions League victory provided a response after their previous setback against Betis, although the goalkeeper believes that match should also have produced a better result.
“We’re doing quite well. We should have beaten Betis, and today we were just a bit short. But we’re playing well and we need to keep improving,” he said.
Courtois also explained the thinking behind a crucial save from a powerful Hakan Calhanoglu free-kick, revealing that memories of previous goals influenced his decision-making.
“Rashford scored at my near post in El Clásico because I moved a little. It happened to me with Lamine Yamal at the World Cup.
“I knew he was going to aim for my near post because he remembered that goal, so I stayed still – that’s why I don’t move anymore.
“If he curls it over the wall and scores, you’ve got to give him credit,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
