'Unnecessary fouls' - Courtois reacts to Rice free-kick masterclass

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois explained his team's 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals by saying that “in the second half” they forgot to “play good football”.

“Arsenal are a strong team, they press well, play well between the lines... In the first half we held on well and created danger on the counter, but in the second half we forgot to play good football. We didn't find any unmarked players. I wouldn't say panic, but we weren't calm with the ball,” he analysed on ‘Movistar’.

“They scored two great free-kick goals, then the third... We didn't have a good reaction. The 3-0 at home is difficult, but at home we know we are strong. People have to believe in this team and I think it's possible to turn it around. We have to work, correct our mistakes and try to win. If we score one or two quick goals, the third one will come on its own. It's possible to come back, but it's not a good start,” he added. 

Courtois was confident that they can bounce back in next week's second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

“I don't think the last few games have weighed on us. The other team is strong, they played well. In the first half we overcame their pressing well, but in the second half it didn't work out for us; we have to improve and learn,” he said.

“I knew I was going to have work to do today, Arsenal is a team that attacks well. In the first one I thought I had put the wall well, but he took it very well. I can take responsibility for that foul. He scored two great goals, in the second one he couldn't have hit it better. They are unnecessary fouls in which there is no danger. It's better not to make fouls against teams like that, but I'll keep studying and analysing so that I do not concede that kind of foul in the second leg”, he concluded.