Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo of the Real Madrid, the offensive problems have been the main burden of the team. The scoring reduction without the Portuguese has been noticed, being Benzema the only one who has given a step forward. However, this course is also suffering on the defensive plot. The continuous injuries (currently there are six players out), the poor performance of unit B or the load of the calendar are some of the reasons why Madrid have received 18 goals in 20 games played League. What is not a reason, but quite the opposite, is the performance of the goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian is covering many of the deficiencies of Madrid this season. His stops have prevented, on several occasions, that the Whites have lost even more points than they have left at this point, especially in recent games. In total it carries 48 stops in League, and 12 of them have been done in recent duels against Osasuna (two), Alaves (four) and I raised (six). In Mendizorroza, those of Zidane they took the victory 1-4, but it was thanks to Courtois that the game was not complicated. Last weekend, against Levante at Di Stéfano, he avoided the win. Between the six stops, you have to count a penalty from Roger. He could not do anything in the two visiting goals, and had to make four more interventions than his counterpart in the rival goal, Aitor Fernandez (two).
The percentage of stops It is the fifth highest in the championship. Stops the 72% of shots on goal. To this we must add that he is, together with two teammates, the second goalkeeper who has blocked the most balls this course (12).
The goalkeeper, to whom it cost to establish in white upon arrival, he has become one of the benchmarks of the squad. The achievement of Zamora Trophy last year it served to show that he is at the level of the best in the league. In this one he is having much more work: if last year he had to do 78 stops in 38 days, in this it goes to an average of 2.4 per duel, which means that, if it maintains this trend, aim to kill 91.
LaLiga Santander
* Data updated as of January 31, 2021
But his leadership goes beyond great performances. Courtois has shown his face when the team is worse. He spoke in the post-match interview after falling to Levante and later sent a message of encouragement to the Madridistas through social media. “We fought with 10 and we gave everything to win but it couldn't be. You have to look ahead and keep fighting!“He posted on his Twitter. Thibaut is convinced: the season can still be fixed.