Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui backs Thibaut Courtois after shaky start
By Ben Sundock
Although Real Madrid picked up a 1-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday in La Liga, Thibaut Courtois’ footwork looked a bit off for the majority of the match. This did not worry Julen Lopetegui who voiced his support for the Belgian goalkeeper.
After making three saves and earning his first clean sheet since joining Real Madrid, you might expect fans and journalists to be impressed with Courtois. However, the football community is hypercritical of every player who takes the pitch in the Santiago Bernabéu.
“I would not dwell on a problem that does not exist. He has a good command of the ball, a good kick,” manager Julen Lopetegui said of Courtois following the match Saturday. Members of the media attending the post-match presser pressed the coach about Thibaut’s at times sloppy footwork.
The Belgian has been rather mediocre in the first three games since leaving Chelsea, having allowed two goals and a record of 2-1-0.
“Espanyol closed us down, but also knew how to attack. But what has hurt us the most is losing control. The team have made a great effort and has achieved three very important points,” the Real Madrid boss went on to say.
The Keylor Navas – Courtois debate is sure to dominate the Real Madrid websites around the world and we may not know who is the outright better goalkeeper until the business end of the summer or possibly next year.
Keylor is off to a flying start this season, only struggling against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup back in mid-August, but has since led Los Blancos to three wins in three starts (two in La Liga and one in the Champions League).
Courtois has been a tad shaky in his first few starts in the Spanish capital, but after winning the award for the best goalkeeper on Tuesday, the lanky 26-year-old should feel good about what the future holds.
La Liga match preview: Sevilla vs. Real Madrid. dark. Next
President Florentino Perez was not afraid to splash the cash to pick up one of the best in the game right now, and Lopetegui recognizes what a unique situation he is in to have two starting keepers in his squad.
On Wednesday against Sevilla, it is anyone’s guess who will start in net for the 13-time UCL winners. Regardless of who gets the nod, the team will be in very good hands.
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