Karim Benzema and Courtois underlined on Wednesday that English opponents are a stimulus for their goal-scoring drive and heroic saves respectively, with Chelsea again a victim.
Benzema terrorizes English opponents in Champions League
In his 149th game in the Champions League, he scored his 90th goal on that podium. Not entirely coincidentally, it was an English opponent who personally experienced the productive power of the French striker. Because he knows how to find the net against Premier League clubs.
The opening goal against Chelsea was already his twentieth goal against an English opponent in the Champions League. Only Lionel Messi has been a bigger hangman for the Premier League representatives with 27 goals.
Benzema is also feeling good when it comes to the knockout stages. His last eleven goals against English opponents came in that phase, with five against Chelsea and three against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Impressive Courtois wanted to see a brilliant save in peace
Real Madrid dealt with Chelsea in a fairly simple way on Wednesday evening. Yet there was still a prominent role for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian reacted remarkably sober in front of the UEFA cameras.
With a feline reflex, he saved Los Blancos from a quick equalizer after Karim Benzema’s opening goal. Raheem Sterling’s attempt was fabulously stopped. “That moment was really important. Just after our goal, it was crucial to keep a clean sheet,” he said.
“I did look back at him at half-time,” Courtois admitted. “I caught him well. It also looked good. Of two meters, but I was quickly to the ground. That’s difficult with my height, but I’m happy pretty quickly.” He himself could enjoy the inimitable action.
After Chelsea ended up with ten men, it became quite easy for the Madrilenians. Until just before time, when the defending champion was released with a fright. The belgian admitted, “We actually wanted more. At the end, however, we almost ran into him ourselves. If Antonio Rüdiger doesn’t make a tackle, they make 2-1. Then they leave as a moral winner.”
“I’m glad we kept a clean sheet after all,” Courtois was relieved. “It’s going to be tough there, it’s not done. Do we have to do better? Is winning 2-0 in a quarterfinal not good then? Oh no? Let’s just finish it there.” At Stamford Bridge, the job must now be completed.
