sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Thibaut Courtois calls out his own Real Madrid teammates after what they did against Arsenal as he names player they're missing
Home>Football>Football News>Champions League
Updated 09:46 17 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 22:52 16 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Thibaut Courtois calls out his own Real Madrid teammates after what they did against Arsenal as he names player they're missing

Thibaut Courtois pulled no punches as he gave an honest assessment of Real Madrid's Champions League elimination.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Thibaut Courtois has called out his own Real Madrid teammates as he named the ONE player they are missing.

Real were dumped out of the Champions League following their crushing 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal.

The holders entered Wednesday's second-leg with a three-goal deficit following their humbling at the Emirates last week.

And Carlo Ancelotti's side once again succumbed to Mikel Arteta's team as the Gunners ran out 2-1 winners at the Bernabeu.

Advert

Bukayo Saka redeemed himself following his penalty miss by opening the scoring. Vinicius Jr levelled proceedings before Gabriel Martinelli grabbed a late winner.

Real were toothless in attack as Arsenal dominated the game, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham failing to influence the match.

Their tactics left a lot to be desired as Courtois, who saved Saka's first-half penalty, bemoaned his side's own tactics, questioning why they crossed a lot.

Thibaut Courtois cuts a dejected figure following the final whistle. Image: Getty
Thibaut Courtois cuts a dejected figure following the final whistle. Image: Getty

In doing so, he name-dropped Joselu, who popped up with some crucial moments in Real's Champions League-winning campaign last season.

"We crossed a lot, but we didn’t have a player like Joselu," he said. "Maybe we should have crossed less and tried other things. We need to be self-critical.

"We have to be self-critical, sometimes we need to play more as a team."

On Ancelotti, he added: "We have ZERO doubt about Carlo Ancelotti."

Courtois then conceded that Arsenal were the better team across the two legs.

"Arsenal were better than us, that’s why they’re through," he said, before looking ahead for the rest of the season and beyond. "We still have a long season ahead of us, the league, the final in ten days, and then the Club World Cup. We must be better."

Real will turn their attention to the La Liga as they sit in second place, four points behind league leaders Barcelona, with seven league games remaining of the season.

They also have a Copa del Rey final against Barca, not to mention this summer's Club World Cup.

Featured Image Credit: via X

Topics: Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Football, Champions League

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@NasJabbar

Recommended reads

Luke Riley makes bold prediction ahead of blockbuster fight on Conor McGregor v Max Holloway cardGetty ImagesForget Conor McGregor - Lone'er Kavanagh is the UFC star you should be watching this weekendGetty ImagesF1 and F3 trainer reveals gruelling physical and mental work drivers must do for each race ahead of British GPGettyDavid Croft proposes new Olympic sport with drivers from 'around the world' ahead of British GPGetty

Advert

  • Secret discount code to get £31 off at Myprotein in 2025
  • Real Madrid starting XI to face Arsenal 'leaked' hours before huge Champions League tie
  • Real Madrid send ominous 16-word message to Arsenal seconds after Champions League game ends
  • UEFA make decision on banning four Real Madrid stars for Arsenal clash

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • Getty
    7 hours ago

    Argentina players could face bans from football after World Cup final as FIFA launch investigation

    Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final.

    Football
  • Getty
    10 hours ago

    Why ex-England midfielder was in attendance for Andy Burnham's first speech as Prime Minister

    Former Everton and England midfielder Peter Reid was on Downing Street.

    Football
  • Getty
    11 hours ago

    Lionel Messi breaks silence on Argentina losing World Cup final amid retirement speculation

    Messi and Argentina lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    14 hours ago

    Punter wins £103,228 from insane £10 seven-fold bet after Spain win World Cup

    The fan backed the winners of seven major sporting events.

    Football