Thibaut Courtois has delivered a blunt warning to Real Madrid despite their winning start to the Champions League campaign.
The Belgian goalkeeper produced another outstanding European performance as Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu, but he believes the Spanish giants made the game far more difficult than it needed to be.
Madrid had opportunities to put the contest beyond Inter’s reach, only for the Italian side to remain alive until the closing stages.
Courtois admitted that Real Madrid should have killed the game off earlier and paid a heavy price for failing to do so.
“In the end, you’re playing against a great opponent. Inter is one of the best teams in Europe in recent seasons, and they proved it again today. I think the game could have been 4-4 either way if necessary, and it was a tough match where we capitalized on their mistakes, and they didn’t score until very late. We should have wrapped up the game earlier, and that cost us dearly at the end.”
The goalkeeper’s comments highlighted a familiar problem for Madrid: controlling matches once chances to extend their lead begin to disappear.
Instead of calmly managing the final stages, the game became increasingly open, forcing the midfielders to cover huge distances as both teams attacked with greater freedom.
Courtois believes Madrid need to learn when to slow the game down rather than constantly searching for another attacking opportunity.
“The midfielders suffer the most, as they have to run even more. We lacked a bit of control when we realized we couldn’t create a clear chance. In those situations, it’s better to drop back, maintain possession, and stay calm, because we lost the ball and had to retreat again. The game became too chaotic at the end of the second half, and I think that’s something we need to improve.”
Despite those concerns, Courtois remains encouraged by Madrid’s overall level.
The goalkeeper believes the team are playing well, although their failure to consistently take chances is preventing them from making games more comfortable.
“I think we’re doing quite well. Against Betis, it was a game we should have won, but we lacked the finishing touch, and today we lacked it a little too. We capitalized on their two mistakes, but then we failed to convert our chances, and it was the same against Betis. We’re playing well, and we need to keep improving. Rayo is coming up, and they’re always a tough opponent for us; we have to win.”
Courtois was also asked about one of the biggest moments of the night — his crucial save from Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s free-kick attempt.
The Madrid goalkeeper revealed that he deliberately refused to commit himself early, drawing on lessons from previous encounters with dangerous free-kick takers.
“I didn’t move, because unfortunately Rashford scored on my side in the Clásico. He shot very well, but it’s true I moved a little. Then in the World Cup, when Lamine Yamal had a free kick, I knew he was going to shoot to my side, because of course, he would remember that goal. I stayed in the middle then, and it was the same with Çalhanoğlu. It’s about not moving, and if he hits it and crosses it and puts it in the top corner, then we congratulate him.”
That save proved crucial as Madrid held on to their advantage and opened their European campaign with victory.
But Courtois’ message is clear.
Winning is important, yet Madrid cannot afford to repeatedly turn controllable matches into late-night survival tests.
With Rayo Vallecano next on the schedule, followed by a demanding Champions League journey, the goalkeeper knows his side must become more ruthless in front of goal and more disciplined when protecting a lead.
Real Madrid have started with three points. Courtois wants them to start learning, too.
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