Courtois Says Fine Margins Decided Real Madrid’s Defeat in the Final

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois spoke honestly after the team’s defeat in the final. The Belgian admitted that losing in that fashion hurts deeply, especially against their biggest rival, but he also made it clear that the squad showed fight and a competitive level throughout the match.

Courtois emphasized that Real Madrid delivered a strong second half and battled until the very end. In his view, the match was decided by small details that punished the team at key moments, even though the overall performance left positive signs for the future.

The goalkeeper explained that the team failed to maintain the same rhythm for the full 90 minutes. During the first half, Madrid played too deep, something he partially attributed to the weather conditions. Even so, he pointed out that the team created clear chances that simply did not turn into goals.

Courtois insisted that luck was not on their side. The opponent capitalized on a few isolated actions, while Madrid were denied by deflections, rebounds, and marginal situations that ultimately made the difference in such a tight final.

The Belgian singled out Vinícius Júnior as the biggest positive of the night. He stated that the dressing room has complete trust in the Brazilian and praised his talent, quality, and constant attacking threat.

Courtois described Vinícius’ goal as a “spectacular strike” and said his performance was a nightmare for the opposition. He also admitted that the team could have looked for him more often to further exploit his ability to destabilize defenses.

Looking ahead, Courtois called on the squad to maintain the same attitude shown in the final. He stressed that January will be a decisive month, with key matches coming up in the Copa del Rey and LaLiga, where Real Madrid must prove consistency.

For the goalkeeper, the path forward is clear: Real Madrid must compete every week with the same mentality and commitment. Courtois closed with firm belief — if the team keeps that attitude, the trophies will follow.