Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois thinks that the absence of a player like Joselu cost them on Wednesday in their 2-1 defeat against Arsenal in the Champions League.
Madrid was unable to set up a fightback after their 3-0 defeat in the first leg in the Emirates Stadium and went against Monaco for the first time since 2004.
In the second stage on Wednesday, Madrid placed 43 crosses in the penalty area compared to the nine of Arsenal, but only three shots succeeded in goal.
Last season, Madrid used Joselu as an impact player with a great effect, where the goalkeeper scored two late goals to dump Bayern Munich in the semi-final phase.
Joselu moved to Qatar after Madrid won their 15th European crown, but he would have been perfect for the quarter -final second stage on Wednesday, according to the goalkeeper.
“They defended well, they pressed high, it was very difficult to find gaps,” Courtois told Movistar.
“We have done a lot of crosses, but we don't have Joselu to win those air duels.”
Madrid registered an XG of only 1.5 during the match compared to the 2.05 xg of Arsenal, although that did include the fine of Bukayo Saka that was saved by Courtois in the first half.
@Realmadriden 1-2 @ARSENAL 65 'Saka. 67 '@Vinijr 90' + 3 'Martinelli. pic.twitter.com/orfzgi44G3
– Real Madrid CF (@Realmadriden) April 16, 2025
“If they give you a fine, if you keep it, you still believe. We felt that the fans were with us and push us,” Courtois continued.
“It would have been very difficult for them if we scored the first goal, because the draw opened.
“But they were the ones who did it, we were not successful. It wasn't enough, Arsenal was superior.”
Captain Lucas Vazquez agreed with Courtois that Madrid's attack was stifled during the game, so that only one big chance was created despite the fact that 66.1% of the ball had.
“Maybe we missed clarity with the ball, we sometimes missed patience. We had to take the ball from left to right to invade a defense that came to play his role,” he said.
“If we win, we all win. If we lose, it is the same. We always give everything, we always show our faces. We can only thank you for the atmosphere today. We will come back stronger. Madrid will always return.
“There is a lot of the season to play. The team is united and we are going to work to achieve what awaits us.”