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Alex Kirkland
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Rodrigo Faez
Apr 7, 2025, 02:46 PM ET
Thibaut Courtois admitted on Monday that Actual Madrid were running on dealing with Champions League combatants Arsenal’s set piece danger, however mentioned it is “a question of time” prior to Mikel Arteta’s workforce win a trophy.
Madrid face Arsenal for the primary time in 19 years on the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, in a quarterfinal conflict which pits the membership which has received a document 15 Eu Cups in opposition to one that hasn’t ever tasted luck within the pageant.
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Arsenal are famed for his or her prowess at set items, whilst Madrid have struggled to shield useless balls this season, maximum not too long ago conceding from a nook in Saturday’s 2-1 house loss to Valencia in LaLiga.
“We labored on it the day past,” Courtois mentioned in a pre-match information convention on Monday. “We understand how now we have to check out to shield in opposition to them. The very first thing isn’t conceding many corners. Then it is about focus, being energetic. From time to time it is in regards to the high quality of the opponent. If the ball is delivered completely, you’ll be able to be neatly situated, however it is nonetheless arduous to shield.”
Madrid are 2d in LaLiga, 4 issues in the back of leaders Barcelona, and Arsenal are 2d within the Premier League, 11 in the back of Liverpool — however the groups’ Champions League document could be very other, with Madrid having received the match six instances within the remaining 11 seasons.
Arsenal handiest returned to the contest in 2023, after a six-year absence, attaining the quarterfinals remaining season. Their most up-to-date main trophy below Arteta used to be the 2020 FA Cup.
“We’ve a large number of appreciate for Arsenal,” Courtois mentioned. “I’ve a large number of buddies who’re Arsenal enthusiasts. I do know they have got been doing nice within the Premier League. They are a tender workforce, a powerful defence, at the counter and set items.
“I believe Arsenal are doing nice. It is a topic of time prior to they win a trophy.”
Madrid trainer Carlo Ancelotti sponsored Vinícius Júnior to ship in Tuesday’s sport, after he overlooked a penalty and used to be whistled by way of some enthusiasts on the Bernabéu on Saturday.
“I have never spoken with him, I do not wish to,” Ancelotti mentioned. “I do know he can have performed higher, but if he thinks he hasn’t performed neatly, he does rather well within the subsequent sport. I am satisfied he’s going to have a excellent sport the next day to come.”
Ancelotti mentioned Arteta, who praised his reverse quantity previous on Monday, had completed “an improbable process” at Arsenal.
“In 5 years he is taken this workforce to the highest in Europe,” Ancelotti mentioned. “He is constructed an entire workforce, and there are not many in Europe. There are many groups that do a little issues neatly, however as entire as Arsenal? There are not many.”
