‘Always crying’ – Thibaut Courtois ‘fed up with victimhood’ as Real Madrid goalkeeper blasts Diego Simeone and Atletico’s complaints after Champions League clash

In a case of the pot calling the kettle black, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois has blasted Atletico Madrid for complaining about referees after loss.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid have done what they do best in the Champions League: persevere. Los Blancos survived city rivals Atletico Madrid’s onslaught at Wanda Metropolitano as the hosts took an early lead via Conor Gallagher and dominated the clash. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were able to drag the game into a penalty shootout, which Los Blancos won as Julian Alvarez saw his spot kick disallowed for a ‘double kick’.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone later criticised the referee’s decision to review Alvarez’s penalty and claimed that his Argentinian striker did not initiate double contact with the ball during his spot kick. Real Madrid keeper Cortouis has now hypocritically claimed that he is ‘fed up’ with the Rojiblancos’ ‘victimhood’, just weeks after his side launched a campaign against La Liga referees for not giving decisions in their favour.

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WHAT COURTOIS SAID

Speaking to the media, Courtois said: “I’m always fed up with that victimhood, always crying over things like that. Referees don’t want to benefit a team, neither in Spain nor in Europe; they saw it clearly, and they called it that way. They’re human, and with technology, they saw it clearly. If you’re winning 1-0 in the first minute and don’t go for the second, that’s the fault of their game.

“In the end, it was a lottery. I felt like it was a double, and I told the referee. It’s not easy to see, and it’s bad luck for them. Then it was bad luck for me that Correa didn’t get it out. We didn’t play our best game, but we got through, and that’s what matters.”

WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Ancelotti’s side have now booked their place in the Champions League quarterfinal, and they will now take on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal on April 8. However, before that, they will have to contend with the challenges of La Liga as they remain second on the table despite Barcelona having played one game fewer than them.