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Thibaut Courtois has openly criticized Real Madrid’s strategy after their 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the Champions League. He believes the team’s reliance on crosses favored Arsenal’s tall defenders and highlighted a lack of creativity without forward Joselu.
TOO MANY CROSSES AGAINST ARSENAL
Courtois admitted that Real Madrid relied too much on crossing rather than building more collaborative attacks. He noted that Arsenal’s tall and physical defense was well-suited to handle constant aerial balls. “We tried to cross a lot, but then with all those crosses, Arsenal have tall players and we don’t have a Joselu,” Courtois said, emphasizing Joselu’s absence and how his presence could have changed the game.
TACTICAL STRUGGLES AND THE SEASON SO FAR
Real Madrid’s game plan against Arsenal exposed a tactical issue. The team has heavily depended on Joselu for aerial plays last season, and they struggled to create clear chances without him. Courtois’s comments reveal the danger of becoming too predictable and the need for more creativity, especially against teams with strong, tall defenders like Arsenal. Arsenal, known for having one of the tallest squads in English football, have improved their set pieces and defense against crossing teams in the last couple of seasons. Their victory adds to a strong season both domestically and in Europe. Meanwhile, Real Madrid needs to find new strategies and solutions in attack to succeed on different fronts.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR REAL MADRID AND ARSENAL?
Real Madrid must regroup quickly before the return of La Liga, finding new attacking options for the last part of the season. They are in a tight battle at the top of La Liga, with Barcelona 4 points ahead and Atletico close behind. Arsenal, boosted by their win, aim to keep their momentum in both the Premier League—where they are challenging Liverpool for the title—and the Champions League where they play PSG for a spot in the final. Madrid may need another tactical review, while Arsenal will look to use their defensive strength to maintain their aggregate lead. With tight competition at the top, every game could decide the season’s outcome, with both European progress and domestic success at stake.
