Just few weeks ago, there were series of bombardments on current Real Madrid goal keeper, Thibaut Courtois that even fans started calling for second choice Alphonsus Areola to replace him after just one start from the former Paris Saint Germain keeper.
Courtois was called all sorts of names and branded negatively in several dimensions. He was used as a piece of mockery and the truth is, I was among the critics because I couldn’t stand how cheaply he conceives goals.
At a time, I watched on with annoyance and irritation as Courtois displays unprofessionalism with his approach to one-one with strikers. Specifically against Club Brugge, twice a staggering player scored Real all because Courtois went to the ground easily before the ball was played.
Now, I am not in any way implying that Goal keeping jobs are easy or the goals Courtois conceived are entirely his fault but those times were the hardest for the Belgian keeper and with time it looked like his days are numbered.
Fast forward today, Courtois is currently on a clean sheet streak with 540 minutes played without conceiving a goal, surpassing that of 510 minutes kept by former goal keeper, Keylor Navas. This achievement by Courtois is down to his impressive saves truly but to a large extent, in my own perspective; the Real Madrid defense is the major reason for the turnaround season.
Every single Real Madrid player sent out on the pitch is currently on Zidane mode. A mode that means every single player is entitled to running his socks off in all areas of the pitch, helping out with defensive duties, if I am not mistaken, that’s prioritized over the attack.
Real Madrid has gone 5 consecutive matches without conceding a goal. It started with the 1-0 Uefa Champions League win of Galatasaray, a 5-0 mauling of Leganese, a 0-0 draw with Real Betis and a 6-0 thrashing of Galatasaray and then a 4-0 win against Eibar. The Real Madrid defense has become very solid, protecting their keeper with all their heart and soul and if they can continue this way, Courtois is likely to win the best goal keeper award of the season. Whaaat? LOL
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