Xabi Alonso hails Courtois as perfect start continues: 9/9 points and a gritty win

Thibaut Courtois delivered a standout display as the team secured a perfect 9/9 points after a hard-fought win, with Xabi Alonso praising an improved second half and the goalkeeper’s brilliance. Fan reaction split sharply: some argued Courtois deserved Man of the Match, others lamented conservative tactics after the hour mark and a dip in creativity following Arda Güler’s exit. Several supporters insisted the margin should have been wider but credited the opposition’s exceptional defensive effort. With a high-stakes league clash looming on Sunday, the narrative now pivots from resilience in Europe to whether attacking fluidity can be restored domestically.

Post-match remarks attributed to Xabi Alonso highlighted a difficult game that swung in the second half, underscored by Thibaut Courtois’ decisive saves. Supporters referenced a compact defensive approach after the 60th minute and a visible drop in chance creation once Arda Güler left the pitch. Others argued the scoreline flattered the opposition, noting multiple missed chances and an outstanding performance from the opposing goalkeeper. The result keeps the group-stage campaign perfect at three wins from three (9/9 points). Attention now shifts to a marquee league fixture on Sunday, widely anticipated to test tactical choices and squad rotation.

🗣 Xabi Alonso: "We knew it would have been a tough game. We improved in the 2nd half. Then we have an amazing goalkeeper, Courtois. 9/9 points, we won, we're happy.'

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

From a data-led perspective, this win is less about xG dominance and more about game-state control and elite shot-stopping variance driven by Thibaut Courtois. In tight European matches where possession swings are common, preserving structure after the first goal can be rational—especially when protecting a perfect start in the group. Courtois’ post-shot expected goals (PSxG) outperformance is a recurring edge; historically, he sustains above-average save percentages on medium-to-high difficulty shots, compressing opponents’ finishing value and enabling narrow wins to stick.

Yet the fan concern over creativity after Arda Güler’s withdrawal is analytically valid. Pre- and post-sub sequences likely show declines in progressive carries and final-third entries, with fewer third-man runs and reduced connection between midfield and front line. If the side “parked the bus” after the hour, it likely coincided with a drop in passes into the penalty area and switched emphasis to field-tilt denial and defensive width protection.

Strategically, 9/9 points affords breathing room: early qualification can enable targeted rotation ahead of domestic blockbusters. The cost is perception—supporters want dominance, not mere control. The coaching staff must now signal intent: either double down on a pragmatic template anchored by Courtois’ reliability or reintroduce a higher-tempo scheme with Güler central to chance creation. The optimal path is adaptive: protect leads in Europe, but restore verticality domestically to avoid predictable low-block stalls.

Reaction

Social sentiment splits along two clear threads. First, adulation for Courtois is near-universal: many fans called him Man of the Match, citing multiple match-saving interventions and the calm he brings under pressure. The second thread is tactical frustration. Several commenters argued the team became overly conservative around the 60th minute, trading pressure and chance volume for a deeper block that invited risk. That frustration intensified with claims that creativity collapsed once Arda Güler exited—supporters pointed to fewer progressive links from midfield to attack and an absence of incisive combinations between the lines.

Another subset of fans insisted the result underestimates the performance, saying it could have been a far bigger win if not for the opposition goalkeeper and a surprisingly rugged defensive showing from the other side. The looming Sunday showdown looms large in the discourse: one camp demands a win at all costs, while another wants a statement of attacking intent to validate title credentials. Across the board, confidence in Courtois remains the stabilizing force, even for those skeptical of late-game pragmatism.

Social reactions

We are still not happy with the performances. is still having defensive and scoring problems!! - The defenders are exposing the defense alot!! What are the CBs doing infront? - Lack of goals is really worrying. Alot of chances just to score 1 or 2 goals.

Jordy Dougan 🇬🇶 (@DouganJordy)

Replace brahim with an extra midfielder, and let guler play between midfield and attack We can't open up like that against barca

ROYAL_KAISERR (@ROYAL_KAISERR)

Courtois is such a joy to watch

Chris (@ChrisOk_)

Prediction

Expect selective recalibration rather than a wholesale rethink. With 9/9 points banked, the staff can afford to reintroduce controlled risk: earlier vertical passes, quicker midfield rotations, and a larger creative load for Arda Güler when healthy and available. That likely includes more scripted patterns to free the right-half space and restore dynamic links to the front line. Against domestic rivals—especially on Sunday—look for a hybrid plan: aggressive first-half pressing to establish territory, followed by situational game-state management once ahead.

Personnel-wise, Courtois remains the pillar; if he sustains his current PSxG overperformance, tight contests should continue to tilt in their favor. Midfield selection will be the lever: pairing a ball-progressor with a line-breaker to avoid sterile possession. Should early qualification be secured in Europe, expect rotation to preserve freshness for the league run-in. In a best-case scenario, the side leverages this perfect start to lock top spot, while domestically using an uptick in shot quality and penalty-area occupation to outpace direct competitors.

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Conclusion

This was a victory built on elite goalkeeping and disciplined control more than flowing attack. Courtois’ ceiling is a strategic asset—when margins are thin, he buys time for the structure to hold. Still, long-term dominance needs sustainable chance creation, and the post-Güler dip is the flashing indicator on the dashboard. The key is balance: keep the defensive integrity that wins in Europe, while restoring speed of circulation and vertical punch for domestic encounters.

With 9/9 points secured, the group table is an ally, not a pressure point. The next step is to turn control into assertion—use the platform of stability to reintroduce risk where it counts. Do that, and this perfect start becomes more than a number; it becomes the blueprint for a season that competes on all fronts.