Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois discussed Real Madrid’s resounding 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, answering questions from the newspaper Defensa Central about his exceptional performance.
Courtois made several stunning saves, most notably in the second half after a mistake by Tiago Pitarch. He stretched out his leg to block O’Reilly’s shot, a moment he described as a testament to his “instinctive reflexes.”
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He also spoke about his recovery from a serious knee injury, saying: “I saw the injury as an opportunity to strengthen my body and continue working hard. I have the talent, but I want to be a role model. Injuries don’t mean the end, and that’s what I try to prove every day.”
In the dressing room, Courtois reprimanded his teammate Vinicius Junior for missing the crucial penalty that nearly ended Manchester City’s hopes before the second leg. However, Federico Valverde quickly intervened to resolve the dispute and ensure the team remained focused on the historic comeback at the Etihad Stadium.
