Immediately after the whistle, he was showered by members of Real Madrid’s sporting staff, which once again proves his popularity within the club. Since the beginning of August, in a practice match against Juventus, it has been the last time Thibaut Courtois has been in goal for the Royal team. The 31-year-old ex-Red Devil first tore the cruciate ligaments in his left knee, and when he recovered, he suffered a right knee injury in March. “I see this return as a victory of perseverance,” Courtois said to the assembled press after the match against low-flying Cadiz. “I would like to thank the physiotherapists, thanks to them I am stronger than ever.”
Coach Carlo Ancelotti brought Courtois to the kick-off earlier than expected, because his return was originally not planned for this season. And whether Bernabeu was delighted with the return of ‘San Tibu’. Courtois’ Ukrainian replacement Andriy Lunin did more than decently this season, but our compatriot remained the undisputed number one of the Royal all the while. At his first touch of the season, spontaneous applause came from the packed stands in the Spanish capital, and this continued throughout the first half.
Not that Courtois had much work to do, Cadiz has the dubious honor of having the worst attack in La Liga – on average the tail team needs eighteen chances to score. But with a view to the Champions League match against Bayern Munich next Wednesday, Ancelotti fielded a refined B team, and it showed. Real hardly created any chances before half-time, the automatisms were lacking due to the many rotations.
Girona in Champions League
In the 50th minute, Courtois really had to take action for the first time: Ramos stormed towards the Real goal alone, and the Limburger kept his team afloat with a crucial save. It earned him yet another standing ovation. A minute later, Brahim Diaz broke the spell. He opened the score for Real with a wonderful curl, and substitute Jude Bellingham removed all doubts later. The Royal team then played out the match in a routine manner, Joselu made it 3–0 in injury time.
Because first pursuer and reigning national champion FC Barcelona lost later in the evening when they visited seasonal revelation Girona (4-2), Bernabeu was allowed to get the title party started. For Real Madrid it is the 36th national title in club history, Girona – second in La Liga with four games to go – has secured its ticket for the Champions League and can prepare for the champions’ ball for the first time.
“I would never have dreamed of having an immediate share in the result,” Courtois added. “I’m ready when the coach needs me. Hopefully we can on Wednesday (against Bayern Munich, ed.) celebrating with the fans again. It doesn’t matter who is in goal, in the dressing room we are one close-knit family.”
