Thibaut Courtois delivered another commanding performance for Real Madrid as the Spanish giants secured a strong advantage against Manchester City in their UEFA Champions League knockout tie.
The Belgian goalkeeper played a decisive role in protecting Madrid’s lead, producing a crucial save in the 75th minute to deny a close-range effort from O’Reilly.
His composure between the posts helped Madrid maintain control as they moved a step closer to the quarter-finals.
After the final whistle, Courtois praised the team’s collective effort but also stressed that the tie remains far from decided.
“It’s only half the tie, but I’m very happy with the team’s performance, the intensity, the work rate, fighting for each other, and that’s beautiful,” said the shot-stopper.
“We don’t make excuses about injuries and we fought until the end.
“It’s a good result, but it’s just one small step. I remember other defeats at the Etihad; anything is possible, and we have to stay focused.”
Courtois also reserved special praise for Federico Valverde, whose impressive display proved pivotal in Madrid’s victory.
“I’m very happy. Valverde is very fast, very strong, good in the air, a good shooter… He’s a very complete player.
“We had practiced that a bit, finding space behind him because they defend very high up the pitch, and it worked out very well.
“Above all, the third goal was beautiful, and I’m very happy for him.”
Reflecting on the move that led to the opening goal, the goalkeeper highlighted the tactical approach that allowed Madrid to exploit space behind City’s defensive line.
“They know I have a good touch and can get forward a lot, and we took advantage of that today.
“In the end, it’s easier against teams that are playing at a high level.
“In La Liga, with all due respect, teams defend more in a low block, but today we were able to showcase our strengths with my pass and Valverde’s goal.”
Courtois also explained the moment that led to his vital intervention against O’Reilly late in the game.
“We wanted to find the third man, that’s why I passed it to Thiago, but we had good pressure behind him.
“He’s a guy who likes to have the ball… It happens a lot in training, not just with him, that they get tangled up and the player takes the ball.
“In the end, I was quick because I saw it could go wrong and I saved it with my leg.”
The Madrid shot-stopper further revealed the team’s defensive preparation for set pieces, acknowledging the physical challenge posed by City’s height advantage.
“The plan was not to concede.“They are very tall, and our average height is 1.75 or 1.80 meters. We defended very well.
“There was one corner where they blocked me from behind, and the referee was alert.
“Next week they will surely try something new because the first corner was a rehearsed play where Semenyo slipped, but he was unmarked. Those are things we also have to study.”
Speaking about Vinicius Junior missing a penalty that could have extended the lead, Courtois acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football.
“It’s a shame, but there’s always a ‘what if’ because they could have scored too. That’s football. Obviously, it’s a shame.
“Going into the second leg with a 3-0 lead is already a good result, and if Vini Jr. had scored the penalty, they might have made it 4-1.
“That’s football. It finished 3-0, and we know the second leg will be tough, and we’ll give it our all to get through.”
Looking ahead, Courtois stressed the importance of maintaining consistency if Madrid want to finish the job in the return leg.
“We have to look at ourselves, because we don’t always play like we did today, with the same intensity, concentration, and full commitment.
“We have to change that in some matches. And then, teams defend very deep against us, and we don’t always find the space. That’s where we need to improve.
“Today, City came out very attacking, and with Vini Jr., Valverde, and Brahim between the lines, you quickly find spaces that aren’t available in La Liga.”
With the second leg still to come at Etihad Stadium, Los Blancos will aim to build on their strong first-leg performance as they chase another deep run in Europe’s elite competition.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
