Real Madrid facing yet another goalkeeping crisis
Thibaut Courtois was Real Madrid’s top signing after Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus last year.
Real Madrid felt their only real need at the time was to improve the goalkeeping position, and they tried to do that by bringing in the man voted as the best at that position at the World Cup that year.
With Courtois in goal, the lingering doubts about Madrid’s goalkeeping position would finally be put to rest. A year later, though, Madrid are again facing a goalkeeping crisis. Courtois was booed by the Santiago Bernabéu crowd in the team’s 2-2 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday, then was strangely replaced by coach Zinedine Zidane at halftime after conceding two goals from three shots against the Belgian club. Zidane gave few hints after the game about what was wrong with Courtois, saying he wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t continue. The club later said stomach problems kept the Belgium goalkeeper from returning to the game.
Courtois was substituted by recently signed French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who has quickly become a fan favorite after some good performances in goal, including against Brugge, when he made a great save while facing a one-onone situation in his first action of the game. Courtois had failed to do the same in a similar play in the first half, leading to Brugge’s second goal. He also could the performance from the Flying Fijians. Good to see us showing some of our flair and our talents.” The teeming rain didn’t affect Fiji’s running game, which proved far too strong for a Georgia lineup hoping have done better in the first, when he was caught out of position following a counterattack.
“Courtois and Areola are Real Madrid goalkeepers,” Zidane said. “Everyone has their own opinion, I’m not going to get into that. I’m not worried. Courtois is trying to do his best and that’s what matters.”
Zidane recognized things improved after the change in goal but went out of his way not to single out Courtois.
“The second half was better and that’s what I take away with me,” Zidane said. “In the first half, we could point the finger at Courtois, but we are all in it together, and I am the first who has to take to seal third place in Pool D with a win, which would have ensured automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
Instead, Fiji have moved ahead of Georgia and provisionally over criticism. That’s how it is. I am the one responsible.”
Keylor Navas used to be Madrid’s starter before Courtois arrived, helping the team win three straight Champions League titles. Still, he was among the first to be criticized at the first sign of trouble, considered the weak link in the team led by Ronaldo. The Costa Rican goalkeeper was transferred to Paris Saint-Germain this offseason in the deal that involved Areola joining Real Madrid on a loan.
Zidane has yet to announce whether it would be Areola or Courtois playing in goal on Saturday in the Spanish league match against Granada at the Bernabéu. Australia into second place.
Fiji are still to face group leaders Wales and Georgia are up against two-time champion Australia, which have played one game less than Fiji. It was a sign of things to come when Waisea Nayacalevu’s spectacular first try put Fiji ahead midway through the first half.
The tries came thick and fast after the halftime interval: Six more from the Fijians who thrilled the crowd with one-handed passes and spectacular running. Georgia’s only try went to veteran Mamuka Gorgodze — his fourth overall in World Cups — briefly making it close at 17-10.