Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid player
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois was one of the few Real Madrid players who was on his toes throughout the entirety of the ninety minutes against Atletico Madrid.
The Belgian made a series of crucial saves, preventing Real Madrid from conceding more after his team went down to 10-man.
Dean Huijsen’s expulsion and the subsequent penalty decision left Real Madrid irked, which is why no players even attended any media event in sign of a protest.
Courtois sends message to fans
Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid player
Courtois was unable to save Atleti’s penalty. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
But while most Real Madrid players remained quiet, Courtois took to Instagram to address the club’s supporters after the 2-1 defeat at the Metropolitano.
“The obvious thing has frustrated us, but what is in our hands is to improve so as not to let more points slip. #HalaMadrid,” Courtois wrote on Instagram (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
The players’ collective silence towards the media was a deliberate decision, with the club understanding it was better for nobody to speak publicly and risk sanctions for their words.
Courtois’ post, therefore, served as the sole official word from the squad after a bruising afternoon.
What’s next for Real Madrid?
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho must find answers during the break. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
The defeat leaves Real Madrid with plenty to ponder over the international break.
Los Blancos head into the pause five points adrift of unbeaten leaders Barcelona, having also been leapfrogged by Atletico, who moved above them in the table.
Second-half goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David condemned Mourinho’s men to their second league defeat of the season.
The result raises fresh questions over Real Madrid’s title-chasing credentials. As Courtois alluded to, the priority now must be improvement, particularly in front of goal, where profligacy has been a recurring theme, and in maintaining focus for the full 90 minutes.
The break offers Mourinho a valuable window to regroup, work on his side’s evident shortcomings and reintegrate returning players.
Real Madrid remain very much in the title race, but with Barcelona setting a relentless pace, they can ill afford to let many more points slip.
Giuliano Simeone, Atletico Madrid player
The Madrid derby was full of controversy. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Lot to ponder for Jose Mourinho. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)