Real Madrid veteran reflects on Benfica loss ahead of knockout playoffs – ‘We’ll learn from it’

Madrid—As Real Madrid prepare to overturn a defeat at the Estádio da Luz, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has underlined the lessons taken from the setback and promised a different outcome once the tie returns to the Bernabéu next week.

The 32-year-old Belgian, widely regarded as the squad’s second-most influential performer behind Kylian Mbappé, spoke candidly about the 3-2 loss in Lisbon and the mindset required to advance.

“Tough game. It’s a difficult stadium to win, I know we didn’t play our best game there but we will learn from it,” Courtois told reporters. “It will be different when you know there is a second leg at Bernabéu.”

Courtois, whose string of decisive stops has kept Madrid afloat during an uneven campaign, also detailed the daily regimen that allows him to maintain elite form after major knee surgery.

“I have breakfast, then I treat myself with the physios and try to loosen my hips and my knees, because goalkeepers can get a bit more stiff after training,” he explained. “Around three times a week, I do strength and core stability training especially after my knee injury. At home, I always try to do cold water, hot water, maybe some sauna.”

Before the Benfica rematch, Madrid must first navigate a knockout playoff against Real Sociedad. Courtois praised the Basque side’s resurgence under their new coach, noting that Copa del Rey commitments could leave them fatigued.

“Real Sociedad is a difficult rival, they had some difficulties at the beginning of the season and now with a different coach they are winning everything,” he said. “They come from a semifinal of the Copa del Rey and we hope they are a little more tired. I think it’s important to start the game with a lot of energy.”

Asked to single out the most challenging save of his career, Courtois selected his fingertip stop from Sadio Mané in the 2022 Champions League final. “He cut inside, and I took a step to the left then had to shift my entire body weight to the right to make the save. It was really difficult, I barely touched it and it hit the post.”

With Madrid’s season hanging in the balance, Courtois’s blend of experience, preparation and self-belief could prove decisive in the pivotal weeks ahead.