Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s Belgian shot-stopper, spoke about the semifinal challenge at Stamford Bridge, noting how tough it was to seal the spot and bend the tie in their favor against Chelsea. The atmosphere stayed intense until Rodrygo Goes produced a pair of crucial strikes that swung the tie Madrid’s way. Courtois admitted that reaching the semi-finals was a significant achievement, particularly since the team kept a clean sheet on an arduous night. The opening 45 minutes proved stubborn, with Madrid finding it harder to create and convert chances, yet the goalkeeper framed the second half as a turning point, describing how his side found rhythm, created key opportunities, and finally delivered the decisive moments that decided the tie. He emphasized the value of that clean sheet and the satisfaction of advancing without conceding a goal, underscoring the importance of composure and collective effort in high-pressure cup ties.
Courtois was the standout figure in another crucial moment of the game, producing a remarkable save that preserved Madrid’s advantage as the first half neared its end. Chelsea pressed forward with determination, seeking a breakthrough from a tight position, but Courtois read the play well, made himself big, and denied a close-range effort that could have altered the momentum. It was a moment of calm under pressure, a testament to his reflexes and positioning when the stakes were highest, and it left the team with renewed belief heading into halftime.
Looking ahead, the discussion shifted to the potential opponent in the final, with the clear expectation that Manchester City would be the rival most teams would want to meet. Courtois framed the path forward with practical optimism: the team would replicate the approach that carried them to this stage, stay focused, and handle each upcoming match on its own merits. He stressed that success would depend on maintaining belief, continuing to work hard, and staying disciplined in both defense and attack. The overarching message was pragmatic: the goal remained to reach the final, with every game treated as a fresh challenge and each step carefully evaluated, rather than an assumption of inevitability.