Real Madrid ace praises Arsenal hero after 3-0 defeat – ‘He can’t hit it better’ | OneFootball

Up to the hour-minute mark, Real Madrid and Arsenal looked set to play out a draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal in London.

What happened after that, however, was a collapse of the highest order as Los Blancos simply fell apart and conceded three goals in 17 minutes to virtually throw the tie away.

Two of the three goals came off the feet of Declan Rice from free-kicks while it was Mikel Merino who put the cherry on the cake with a massive third goal for Arsenal.

Courtois faces the press

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois put up a great fight against Arsenal but was outclassed by two stunning free-kicks no goalkeeper could have done much about.

Speaking to the media after the game, the Belgian star reflected on the result, the goals conceded and the plan going forward.

“Arsenal are a strong team at home, they play well between the lines and created a lot of danger. In the first half we held up well and created danger in several counterattacks,” he began, speaking on the game that unfolded.

“But in the second we forgot to play, we left them free and we were not calm with the ball. We conceded two great free kick goals and, after the third, we didn’t have a good reaction,” he added.

Courtois was also asked about Real Madrid’s chances of pulling through after the hammering in the first leg, to which he said,

“The 3-0 is difficult, but at home we are strong and people have to believe in this team because we will give everything to turn this result around.”

“It’s possible but we have to work and correct the mistakes,” he added.

Declan Rice scored two stunning free-kicks. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Praising Arsenal for their dominant performance and clinical goalscoring on a high-pressure night, the goalkeeper said,

“They played the game well. In the first half, we came out of their pressure well and we had possession, but what we wanted to do in the second half did not work out. That’s where we have to improve and learn.”

“Arsenal beat Manchester City and drew Liverpool at home,” he added.

Finally, Courtois spoke on the two free kicks Declan Rice expertly put past him and his opinion on the clean ball striking.

“In the first goal, I thought I had put the wall correctly. I always put one more man so that that ball doesn’t pass but he struck it very well. I take responsibility by putting one more in the barrier,” he said, taking the blame.

He also praised Rice for his stunning free-kicks and admitted that the second goal was struck as sweetly as possible.

“I knew he hit the free-kicks very well but I didn’t know what he did with that. And in the second goal, I think he can’t hit it better.”

“They are unnecessary fouls where there is no danger. If you know that you play against a team with good kickers, you don’t make those fouls. I will continue to study it for the reverse fixture,” he added on the careless defending.

Source: Real Madrid website