Dean Huijsen has praised Thibaut Courtois after the Real Madrid goalkeeper produced a decisive display in the team’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan.
“Courtois is the best in the world by a huge margin,” said the Real Madrid central defender, highlighting the Belgium international’s contribution to Tuesday’s match.
Courtois was one of the key figures in the opening-round fixture of the Champions League league phase. The goalkeeper made seven saves as Real Madrid held off Inter Milan and secured a 2-1 victory.
His performance was particularly important in a match decided by a narrow margin. With Inter Milan managing to test the Real Madrid defence repeatedly, Courtois played a central role in protecting the advantage and helping the Spanish club finish the game with all three points.
Huijsen’s assessment places Courtois clearly above every other goalkeeper in the world. The defender’s comments came after a game in which Courtois’ individual contribution was among the defining features of the result.
The 2-1 scoreline meant Real Madrid began its Champions League league-phase campaign with a win. Courtois’ seven saves provided the statistical measure of his influence, while Huijsen’s remarks conveyed the esteem in which the goalkeeper is held within the Madrid side.
Attention now turns to the next fixture involving Jose Mourinho’s team. On Saturday, 12 September, the side will play at home against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
That match is scheduled to begin at 22:00 Moscow time. It follows the demanding European contest against Inter Milan and will give the team its next opportunity to continue its campaign in domestic competition.
For Courtois, the Inter Milan match offered a strong response in goal and reinforced Huijsen’s view that he is operating at a level well beyond his rivals. For Real Madrid, his saves were central to a victory that began the Champions League league phase positively.
The immediate focus will therefore shift from European football to La Liga, with Rayo Vallecano the next visitors. The match will take place on Saturday evening, four days after Courtois helped Real Madrid overcome Inter Milan 2-1.