• March 19, 2024

Courtois rejects criticisms – I’m not bad with my feet

thibaut courtois

Julen Lopetegui is set to continue with his goalkeeper rotation when Real Madrid face CSKA Moscow tonight in the Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League at the VEB Arena.

Keylor Navas who played no part for Real Madrid in the last two games which were in the La Liga is likely to start in goal for Los Blancos tonight as they field a relatively weakened side against the Russian outfit.

Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois has come out to defend himself after the criticisms he suffered early in the season due to his supposed poor footwork.

The Belgian shot-stopper was massive for Los Blancos in the Madrid derby as he made some key saves to prevent the Rojiblancos from running away with all 3 points.

READ: UCL – Key trio to miss CSKA Moscow game

It was arguably his best performance in a Madrid shirt since his arrival at the Bernabeu.

It can be recalled that the former Chelsea goalie had his footwork criticized after joining Real Madrid. However, the shot-stopper has now come out to dismiss those criticisms, stating that he is not bad with his feet.

Speaking with Belgofut, Courtois said: “I’m not bad with my feet.

“I may not be among the best, but I’m certainly not bad either. Sometimes I miss a long ball but I dare to play with my feet.

“The last ball on which [Nikola] Kalinic put pressure was given to [Raphael] Varane with my right. Many goalkeepers would have cleared that ball.

“Sometimes I give a bad ball, yes, but I know more goalkeepers who are, so to speak, phenomenal with their feet making more mistakes than me.

“I’m just doing what I have to do, and that’s the most important thing.”

Regardless, the goalkeeper is aware of the ongoing competition for a place between the sticks at the club and admitted this:

“I have to show myself, especially if you have two good goalkeepers, as is our case. Helping the team is always the most important thing.”

Both Keylor Navas and Thibaut Courtois have been impressive under Julen Lopetegui. However, when a factor like age is considered, it’s expected that the Madrid boss will stick with the younger goalie in the long run.