Real Madrid’s Tactics for Arsenal Defeat Questioned by Key Starter

Thibaut Courtois Criticizes Los Blancos’ Approach to Champions League Exit

Real Madrid’s Champions League journey came to an abrupt and disappointing end on Wednesday evening. Having suffered a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Arsenal, Los Blancos needed a miracle at the Bernabeu in the return fixture. However, despite a brave second-half goal from Vinicius Junior, they fell short once again, losing 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.

While Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team delivered another solid performance, Real Madrid’s tactical approach has been called into question, particularly by one of their most prominent players — goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid’s Lack of Aerial Presence

One of the most surprising aspects of Real Madrid’s attack in the second leg was their reliance on crosses. In total, the Spanish giants attempted a staggering 43 crosses in the match, but completed just seven of them. This heavy focus on aerial balls into the box was puzzling to many, given the fact that Los Blancos do not possess a natural target man this season. In the past, Madrid has been able to rely on strong aerial presences, such as last season’s loan signing Joselu, but this year, they lack that crucial element in their attacking play.

Real Madrid’s central striker, Kylian Mbappé, was expected to lead the charge against Arsenal’s defence, but as the game wore on, it became clear that the Frenchman is not suited to competing in aerial duels. Despite his blistering pace and technical brilliance, Mbappé is not a physical presence in the air, and the Arsenal defence, led by William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior, had little trouble handling the cross-heavy onslaught.

Courtois Questions the Decision-Making

After the game, Courtois, who had once again been a standout performer for Madrid despite their elimination, expressed his confusion over the team’s strategy. In an honest and reflective post-match interview, the Belgian goalkeeper questioned why Madrid opted to play so many crosses into the box, given that they lacked the type of striker who could make the most of them.

“We can’t always expect the four up front to dribble past three players and score a great goal,” Courtois said. “As a team, we have to attack and defend better. In the end, Arsenal is a team that defends well, are well-organised, press well, and it’s difficult to find space.”

While Courtois praised Arsenal’s defensive solidity, he admitted that Madrid’s tactical setup left something to be desired. “We put in a lot of crosses, but this year we don’t have Joselu, a natural striker up front. We have to analyse carefully what we can do better.”

The goalkeeper’s comments seemed to reflect a deep frustration not just with the result, but with the way his team approached the game. Real Madrid’s failure to adapt to the conditions of the match and their inability to break down Arsenal’s well-drilled defence stood out as significant factors in their Champions League exit.

A Lack of Team Play

Courtois also called for greater self-reflection from his teammates, urging them to be more critical of their collective performances. In particular, he highlighted the importance of team play rather than relying solely on individual brilliance, something that has been a hallmark of Real Madrid’s attacking play for many years.

“Sometimes you have to be self-critical and look at everything carefully. Everyone has to do this. I feel like we’re a team, but we have to make more team plays and not just individual ones,” Courtois added.

His remarks suggested a clear gap between Madrid’s individual talents — including Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé — and the team-oriented play that the club needs to employ to succeed against high-quality opponents like Arsenal. Courtois acknowledged that on occasions, such as when Arsenal doubled up on Vinicius or Mbappé, the individual flair of the attacking players can create space, but it cannot be relied upon every time.

“If they double-mark Vini or Kylian, a two-on-one can work once, but not five times,” Courtois explained.

This candid reflection from one of the team’s key players paints a picture of a squad struggling with the balance between individual brilliance and cohesive team strategy. With the current tactical setup, Madrid’s attacking force often appears disjointed and unable to break through well-organised defences.

A Season of Disappointments

Real Madrid’s Champions League elimination adds to a season that has been full of ups and downs. Despite sitting second in La Liga, just four points behind their fierce rivals Barcelona, the season’s objectives are now in serious jeopardy. The loss to Arsenal means that Madrid’s hopes of European glory have been dashed, and the pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti is only likely to increase as a result.

Ancelotti’s future at the club has been the subject of speculation for some time, and reports have suggested that the Italian coach could be replaced at the end of the season. While he remains a respected figure at the Bernabeu, the ongoing inconsistency of Madrid’s performances and the failure to win major silverware this term could lead to his departure.

The defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League could be the final straw for some sections of the Madrid fanbase, who have grown accustomed to the club’s dominance on the European stage. With the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona just around the corner, Ancelotti will need to galvanise his squad and inspire them to victory in order to salvage some silverware from this turbulent season.

Looking Ahead to the Copa del Rey Final

With the Champions League now firmly behind them, Real Madrid’s focus will shift to the domestic competitions. The Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on 26 April will provide the club with an opportunity to win their first major trophy of the season and lift the spirits of their supporters.

Courtois, while disappointed with the Champions League exit, remains optimistic about Madrid’s chances in the Copa del Rey and La Liga. He believes that with the right mentality and a better tactical approach, Madrid can still salvage something from what has been a difficult season.

“We still have a good Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, La Liga, and the Club World Cup,” Courtois concluded, with a tone of determination.

It remains to be seen whether Madrid can turn things around in the coming weeks. The team’s inability to adapt against Arsenal, and their overreliance on individual brilliance, will need to be addressed if they are to compete with Barcelona and other top clubs in Spain and Europe. As the pressure mounts on Ancelotti and his players, only time will tell if Real Madrid can rise to the occasion.