Mansion Sports - Real Madrid were forced to accept a harsh reality as their journey in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to an abrupt end with a stunning 0–4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinal.

The match, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Thursday (10/7/2025) early morning WIB, turned into a nightmare for the Spanish giants.

Following the match, Real Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a candid post-match statement that surprised many with its honesty.

The Belgian international did not shy away from pointing out several fundamental weaknesses he believed led to the team’s humiliating loss.

He highlighted a lack of unity in pressing, poor tactical execution, and the team's failure to adapt to unfolding situations on the field.

Disjointed Pressing Allowed PSG to Play Freely

When asked by reporters what went wrong in Real Madrid’s performance, Courtois responded with striking clarity and directness.

He identified the team’s inability to apply collective pressing as the most critical flaw. Rather than executing an organized and coordinated press, Madrid’s players appeared disjointed and lacked the necessary cohesion to stifle PSG’s build-up play.

“What went wrong? We didn’t press as a team,” Courtois stated in his post-match interview.

“There were two major mistakes early in the match, and that had a massive impact on us.”

The two early goals—scored within the first nine minutes due to individual errors by Raul Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger—were a consequence of Madrid’s collective defensive frailty.

PSG exploited the disorganization with ease, initiating attacks from the back and slicing through the unprotected midfield.

This tactical disorder allowed the French side to dominate the match, circulate the ball with freedom, and exploit every available space.

In contrast, Real Madrid appeared passive, lacking the tactical responsiveness required to contain PSG’s momentum.

Tactical Discipline Abandoned: Players Failed to Execute Alonso’s Instructions

Courtois went further, criticizing the players’ lack of discipline in following head coach Xabi Alonso’s tactical blueprint.

According to the experienced shot-stopper, what unfolded on the pitch bore little resemblance to the match plan they had prepared.

“We failed to follow Xabi’s game plan,” Courtois admitted. “We need time to analyze it, but from what I saw, we were always a step behind in every situation.”

His remarks implied that from the opening whistle, Madrid’s players were slow to react to pressure and struggled to deal with PSG’s incisive counterattacks.

Even after falling behind 0–3 in the second half, the team was unable to mount any meaningful response.

There was a glaring lack of aggression in transition, poor positional adjustments, and no evident backup strategy when the primary tactical approach faltered.

Early Blunders Had a Lasting Psychological Impact

The psychological toll of conceding two early goals was significant.

Courtois acknowledged that the team’s morale dropped dramatically after the early setbacks, and their overall gameplay began to unravel.

“From that point on, we lost our direction,” he remarked.

Technically, Real Madrid were second-best in one-on-one duels, ineffective in possession, and failed to break through PSG’s disciplined defensive structure.

The defeat was not only a tactical failure but also reflected deeper psychological and leadership issues within a squad still adapting to Xabi Alonso’s management.

An Apology to the Fans and a Refocus on the Season Ahead

Fully aware of the disappointment felt by millions of Real Madrid supporters worldwide, Courtois began his interview with a heartfelt apology.

He expressed deep regret over the performance and took full responsibility on behalf of the entire squad.

“We want to apologize to the fans,” Courtois said. “We know you supported us all the way, and we failed to repay that with a worthy performance.”

With Real Madrid’s Club World Cup journey now over, the squad will enter their summer break.
The primary focus will shift toward preparing for the 2025/26 La Liga season. 

Reports suggest the club may request a delay to their opening domestic fixtures to allow more time for recovery and internal restructuring.

While the loss to PSG marks an early blemish in Xabi Alonso’s tenure as head coach, Courtois emphasized that this moment should be seen as an opportunity—a pivotal juncture to reflect, recalibrate, and construct a stronger foundation for the far greater challenges that lie ahead.