Thibaut Courtois has stated that Real Madrid has been getting ready to face the challenges of set pieces from Arsenal in the Champions League. He also mentioned that it’s just a matter of time before Mikel Arteta’s team wins a trophy. On Tuesday, Madrid will play against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium for the first time in 19 years.
In this quarterfinal encounter, the club with the most European Cup victories will face off against a squad which has never tasted success in the competition.
Arsenal is well-known for their effectiveness during set pieces, while Real Madrid has faced challenges in defending against dead ball situations this season, recently allowing a goal from a corner in their 2-1 defeat to Valencia in La Liga on Saturday.
“We focused on this yesterday,” Courtois mentioned during a pre-match press conference on Monday. “We understand how to approach defending against them. The priority is to limit the number of corners we concede. After that, it’s about maintaining concentration and being proactive. Sometimes, the quality of the opposing team plays a role. Even if you’re well-positioned, a perfectly delivered ball can make it difficult to defend.”
Currently, Madrid sits in second place in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by four points, while Arsenal is also second in the Premier League, 11 points behind Liverpool. However, their records in the Champions League differ significantly, with Madrid having claimed the title six times in the past 11 seasons. Arsenal made their return to the competition in 2023 after a six-year hiatus, reaching the quarterfinals last season. Their last major trophy under Arteta was the FA Cup in 2020.
“We hold Arsenal in high regard,” Courtois stated. “I have many friends who support Arsenal. I’m aware they’ve been performing exceptionally well in the Premier League. They have a young squad with a solid defense, excelling in counterattacks and set pieces. I believe Arsenal is on the right path, and it’s only a matter of time before they secure a trophy.”
Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed confidence in Vinícius Júnior’s ability to perform well in Tuesday’s match, despite the player missing a penalty and receiving some boos from fans at the Bernabéu on Saturday.
Ancelotti mentioned that he hasn’t felt the need to have a conversation with him. He acknowledges that the player has potential for improvement, but noted that when the player feels he hasn’t given his all, he tends to play better in the following match. Ancelotti is confident that he will perform exceptionally well tomorrow.
Ancelotti pointed out that Arteta, who praised him earlier on Monday, has done a fantastic job” at Arsenal. “In just five years, he has taken this team to the top of European football,” Ancelotti said. “He has built a balanced squad, and there aren’t many teams in Europe that can compare. While several teams are strong in specific areas, how many can rival Arsenal’s overall strength? Not many.”
