Courtois embodied Real Madrid’s paradox in Rome

Real Madrid won 4-3 in Rome, but the three goals Courtois conceded did not define his evening. The goalkeeper was one of his team’s most prominent players, making saves that prevented Roma from scoring more. Once again, he played the role of Real Madrid’s saviour.

Another statistic highlights the part Courtois played in the team’s build-up. He completed more passes than every Madrid teammate except one. The midfielders were well behind him, an imbalance suggesting that Real Madrid went direct and made little use of the middle of the pitch.

That contrast gives the victory a particular dimension: Courtois influenced the game with his saves and his contribution to possession, while the heart of Madrid’s midfield had little impact on how the ball moved. In Rome, the goalkeeper’s greater involvement than the midfielders’ laid bare the problems in Real Madrid’s engine room.