Thibaut Courtois admitted that Real Madrid were “bugged” due to their inability to beat Chelsea in their Champions League victory.
In the first leg of the quarter-finals at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Blancos defeated the Blues 2-0 with goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio.
However, despite the players’ advantage in the last third of the game after Ben Chilwell was sent off for a professional foul on Rodrigo, Madrid failed to ward off their pressure.
Speaking afterwards, former Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois expressed disappointment that his side were unable to deliver more damage ahead of the second leg next week.
“Every time you play an important knockout match, you’re left with the feeling that you could, should have killed a draw,” he said, citing UEFA.com.
Chelsea almost scored right in the end. This is a good result, but we are annoyed that we did not score a third or even a fourth goal.
Goal celebration or interpretive dance?#Championship pic.twitter.com/4DyhTSxMGE
— Real Madrid FC (@realmadriden) April 12, 2023
“I hope we don’t regret not adding another one when we play again next week.”
Hosts Carlo Ancelotti largely dominated the home field against Frank Lampard’s Blues, who have long struggled to impose play.
However, with Benzema, Luka Modric and Rodrigo among those who turned down chances in the game, Courtois’ fears of a return to London may not be unfounded.
In his post-match commentary for BT Sport, Lampard spoke of wanting to have the “special nights” he enjoyed at Stamford Bridge as a second leg player.
However, Madrid themselves are no strangers to a comeback, having challenged several poor performances in last year’s Champions League openers to eventually win the title.