Thibaut Courtois' penalty record does not inspire confidence ahead of Real Madrid vs Arsenal
Thibaut Courtois' penalty record does not inspire confidence ahead of Real Madrid vs Arsenal
Tonight, the Santiago Bernabeu will set the stage for what could be one of the most unforgettable nights in Champions League history.
Real Madrid, trailing 0-3 from the first leg of the quarter-final against Arsenal, must oversee one of their famous European comebacks to secure a place in the semi-finals.
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It is the kind of mountain only a few teams would even dare to climb—but Real Madrid, the undisputed kings of European football, know all too well how to turn the impossible into reality.
It must be remembered that for Carlo Ancelotti's side to have any chance of pulling off this miraculous turnaround, every player will need to rise to the occasion.
Interestingly, at the heart of it all could be Thibaut Courtois, whose presence between the posts could prove decisive in a match where every moment matters.
Arsenal come into this second leg with one of the most potent attacking units in the Champions League this season, meaning that Courtois is likely to be called into action early and often.
Thibaut Coirtois does not have a great record while saving penalties. (Photo by Juan Manuel)
For now, Real Madrid need three goals to level the scoring and four to win. However, if the match goes into the penalties, Courtois's expertise will be called into action.
How good is Courtois while saving a penalty?
While Courtois is widely regarded as one of the most complete goalkeepers—blessed with sharp reflexes, commanding presence, and calm under pressure—penalties have never been his strongest suit.
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As reflected by the data from Transfermarkt, Courtois has faced 70 penalties in his career and saved 12 of them during regulation time, resulting in a success rate of just over 17%.
Interestingly, his most recent penalty save dates back to June 2023 against Athletic Club.
Should this evening's clash head into a dramatic penalty shootout—a possibility not out of the question if Real Madrid equalise the aggregate score—Courtois will face a tough test.
Though not a specialist in saving penalties, he has a habit of stepping up in the most crucial moments, as seen in past Champions League campaigns.
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