Thibaut Courtois has spoken and when he does, it's not by chance. Real Madrid's goalkeeper, who rarely loses his composure, exploded after Dean Huijsen's sending off. He was clear, direct, and forceful: "It's an unnecessary red card."
It's not just about the specific mistake, it's because this is the second time something similar has happened. Not long ago, Asencio was sent off for a similar action against Pachuca. Courtois is clear about it: these kinds of mistakes can't be repeated, especially at a club like Real Madrid, where every detail matters.
Huijsen: Talent with room for improvement
Dean Huijsen is a promising center-back. He has integrated well into the team, has started matches, and has shown courage, but like many young players, he still lacks composure in key moments. Against an opponent that was already losing 3-1, he made a rash mistake: he unnecessarily held the striker and received a straight red card.
Courtois tried to clarify: "It's a bit of a defender's instinct... it's bad luck, but you have to learn from it."
Huijsen has a future, but he also needs to understand that at Madrid, playing well isn't enough. You have to be smart and know when to take risks and when not to. A sending off can leave the team at a disadvantage and jeopardize an entire knockout round.
Asencio: The painful precedent
The most concerning thing about this situation is that it's not an isolated incident; it already happened with Asencio in a match against Pachuca. In that game, the team was also left a man down due to an absurd foul. History is repeating itself and that, for Courtois and the locker room, is unacceptable.
The Belgian goalkeeper made it clear without pointing fingers at anyone directly, but with the right message:
"There are many here waiting to play. Whoever gets their chance must seize it with both hands."
It's not just about talent, it's also about mentality. Madrid competes at the highest level, and a second of lack of focus can change everything. Repeating mistakes like this is a way to close doors for yourself.
Message to the locker room: Unity and demands
Courtois didn't just criticize. He also called for unity. He ended his remarks with a show of leadership:
"Let's try to win for him and let him play the final."
The goalkeeper wants the team to use this situation as motivation. He wants them to learn, but also to get back up. His message is firm: Real Madrid demands maturity, even from the youngest players.
There's no room for carelessness, a second time can't be tolerated. Because this is Madrid. Here, as Courtois reminded everyone without needing to say it all, "mistakes are paid for... and dearly."