Thibaut Courtois Admits His Mistake and Publicly Backs Xabi Alonso After Champions League Defeat

Thibaut Courtois faced the media with honesty after Real Madrid’s 2–1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League, openly admitting responsibility for the mistake that shifted the momentum of the match. The Belgian goalkeeper acknowledged that his error on a second-half corner kick directly led to City’s equalizer, a turning point in a game of the highest European intensity.

Real Madrid had taken the lead through Rodrygo and appeared in control for long stretches. However, everything changed after a corner delivered into the box. Josko Gvardiol’s initial header was not fully secured by Courtois, leaving the ball loose inside the area. Nico O’Reilly reacted quickest, finishing from close range to level the score and ignite the Etihad Stadium. Speaking after the match, Courtois did not shy away from blame, explaining that he failed to deal with the situation with his usual authority. He stressed that, at Champions League level, such details are decisive and costly.

Despite the setback, Courtois felt Real Madrid deserved more from the game. He noted that after a strong spell from Manchester City early in the second half, Madrid regained control around the hour mark, dominated possession, and pushed the hosts back. According to the goalkeeper, the team created enough chances to at least draw the match, but lacked sharpness in both penalty areas. His analysis combined personal accountability with frustration over a missed opportunity to take points from a demanding away fixture.

Beyond his individual error, Courtois was emphatic in defending head coach Xabi Alonso, whose position has come under scrutiny due to recent results. The Belgian dismissed the idea that the match in Manchester should be viewed as a referendum on the coach. He underlined that the dressing room fully supports Alonso and rejects narratives suggesting internal doubts or fractures. For Courtois, the focus remains on winning matches, not evaluating the manager on a weekly basis.

He also addressed Real Madrid’s broader struggles, particularly the points dropped in LaLiga, attributing them to isolated mistakes and inefficiency rather than systemic issues or a loss of faith in the coaching staff. As one of the most influential figures in the squad and a proven leader on Europe’s biggest stage, Courtois’ words carry significant weight within the club and among supporters.

Real Madrid now face a period of intense pressure, trailing Barcelona in the league and navigating a Champions League campaign with little margin for error. Courtois’ combination of self-criticism and public backing of Xabi Alonso aims to close ranks at a critical moment. If the response on the pitch matches the message off it, the defeat in Manchester may be remembered as a moment of accountability that helped spark a turnaround rather than the beginning of a deeper crisis.