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
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • 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

'I’ll smash up my next few opponents': Daniel Dubois talks Fury vs Joshua, Jake Paul crossover and avenging Usyk defeatsBrooks Running'I don't want to be missing anymore' - Jamie Vardy drops retirement hint as he talks Netflix documentaryNetflix / Untold UK: Jamie VardyFormer Man Utd No.2 suggests only reason Michael Carrick would not get the full-time jobGetty ImagesVinnie Jones ‘would love’ for rags to riches life story to be made into movie as he talks Netflix documentaryNetflix

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Tottenham learn devastating cost of Premier League relegation after Leeds draw

    Tottenham Hotspur face the prospect of a devastating cost if they suffer relegation from the Premier League.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Former Chelsea starlet's contracted terminated after just two games at iconic Serie A club

    A former Chelsea starlet has seen his contract terminated by an iconic Serie A club after just two games.

    Football
  • Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    'Send him back' - Tottenham told to terminate player's 'strange' deal amid relegation concerns

    The Spurs player is expected to leave following the end of what has been a dismal season.

    Football
  • Jordan Peck/Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Mark Goldbridge storms out of Baller League following bizarre incident

    The popular Manchester United fan was furious.

    Football
  • 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