Thibaut Courtois has revealed that Real Madrid are wary of Arsenal’s prowess from set pieces and have been preparing specifically for the challenge of facing them.
The reigning European champions come into Tuesday’s first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates following a 2-1 home defeat by Valencia in La Liga that left them four points behind leaders Barcelona. A poor defensive performance saw Madrid concede their 10th goal from a corner this season, although Carlo Ancelotti will welcome back Courtois and David Alaba from injury against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal have gained a reputation across Europe after scoring 30 times from set pieces since the start of last season and the former Chelsea goalkeeper is aware he must be ready for the challenge.
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“We’ve worked on it,” said Courtois. “We know how we have to try to defend against them. The first thing is not to concede too many corners. It’s a matter of concentration, activation – sometimes the quality of the opponent plays a factor too. If the ball arrives perfectly, it’s difficult to defend. But we are ready to do it, we believe that what we have prepared will work out well for us.”
Mikel Merino’s goal against Chelsea last month was Arsenal’s 11th of the season from a corner but their first since mid-January. They will also be without Gabriel Magalhães – who has scored 14 of his 16 goals for the club from corners – against Madrid.
“In knockout stages, set pieces usually account for 33% of the goals scored,” said Arteta. “It will be crucial for us, of course, but also for them; they scored against Valencia from a set piece.”
Despite his long list of honours as a manager over a 30-year career that include a record five Champions Leagues, Ancelotti has never won back-to-back domestic league titles. His contract lasts until the end of next season but the Italian has again been linked with the vacant Brazil men’s team post after the sacking of Dorival Júnior last month.
Responding to criticism after the defeat to Valencia, Ancelotti said the decision over his future would be up to president Florentino Pérez and insisted he is determined to end the season with silverware once more.
“It may be that people get tired of seeing me on Real Madrid’s bench,” he said. “But what matters is that the most important person in this club hasn’t got tired. What can change the dynamic is that the most important person in this club doesn’t get tired. If I didn’t believe that Real Madrid could win all the remaining titles, I wouldn’t be here. I’d consider a holiday. We’re here to fight for all the titles until the end.”
