Thibaut Courtois drops honest Real Madrid verdict after Inter win: “Could have been 4-4” | OneFootball

Real Madrid may have defeated Inter Milan 2-1 on Tuesday, but it was far from a straightforward victory for Jose Mourinho’s side. Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde were enough for Los Blancos to start their league phase campaign with three points, but the visitors would have left the Bernabeu feeling hard done-by.

Real Madrid had several chances to score more than two goals, but they were wasteful in front of goal. Their profligacy would have cost them but for the heroics of Thibaut Courtois, who made a number of important saves to keep Inter at bay.

After the match, Courtois delivered his assessment of Real Madrid’s victory during an interview with Movistar (via MD). He admitted that things were too hectic, especially in the second half when multiple chances went begging.

“We played against a great rival, one of the best teams in Europe. The match could have been 4-4. We took advantage of their mistakes and we had to close the game earlier, we didn’t and we suffered until the end. Sometimes we lacked a little bit of control, a little bit of possession and a bit of calm. The game was too crazy at the end of the second half, it’s something to improve.”

Courtois: I’ve learned from recent mistakes

Courtois highlighted one save of his in particular when speaking post-match, that being one to stop a ferocious free-kick from Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu. He revealed that he’s learned from previous cases, including one where he conceded a goal to Marcus Rashford in last season’s El Clasico defeat to Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou.

“Rashford scored at my near post in El Clasico last season because I moved a little. In the World Cup, when Lamine Yamal took a free kick, I stayed on my side of the goal and saved it. I did the same today. If he scores and puts it over the wall, you have to applaud it, but I will not be moving from my side of the goal again.”