Thibaut Courtois Lament About Joselu's Absence After Champions League Defeat To Arsenal

Thibaut Courtois Highlights Joselu's Absence Following Real Madrid's Champions League Exit

Thibaut Courtois has stressed the need for greater teamwork and pointed to the absence of a traditional striker like Joselu following Real Madrid’s disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League. The goalkeeper’s post-match remarks came after their 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the quarterfinals, a result that brought an abrupt end to the club’s European ambitions this season.

"We need to engage in self-criticism and focus on playing more collectively, relying less on individual brilliance," Courtois said. "When players like Vinicius or Kylian are double-marked, our strategy falters. It's imperative to analyze and improve our approach."

Courtois also underscored the tactical gap left by Joselu’s absence, saying, "We've delivered numerous crosses, but this season, we lack a player like Joselu who can dominate aerial duels and serve as a natural forward presence. We must assess how we can enhance this aspect of our game."

Joselu, who returned to Real Madrid on loan from Espanyol, has been previously praised by Courtois for offering a different attacking dimension. “Joselu is a really good striker for us,” he noted in an earlier interview. “He's a profile that we didn't have before; sometimes you need a guy that can hold onto the ball and also score from crosses.”

Despite the Champions League setback, Courtois remains optimistic. He pointed to upcoming challenges such as the La Liga title race, the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, and the FIFA Club World Cup as opportunities to end the season on a high. He also extended gratitude to the fans for their continued support during difficult moments.