Thibaut Courtois has criticised Toni Kroos for his “very stupid pass” that cost Real Madrid in their 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.
Kylian Mbappe, widely reported to be set for a summer move to Real, fired home from a tight angle in the fourth minute of added time to give PSG a deserved advantage in their Champions League last-16 tie.
The winner was set up by Neymar, who had stepped off the bench as a second-half replacement for Angel Di Maria in his first appearance since November.
Two-legged Champions League ties should be next for UEFA axe
Mbappe’s last-gasp effort also spared Lionel Messi’s blushes after his second-half penalty had been saved by Courtois.
PSG, who lost in the semi-finals to Manchester City last season and were beaten in the 2020 final by Bayern Munich, dominated at the Parc des Princes, but failed to make all their pressure tell.
Kylian Mbappe has been directly involved in 52 goals in 52 Champions League appearances pic.twitter.com/YKUKOpGE9t
— GOAL (@goal) February 16, 2022
Real, who appeared set to complete a great escape, will be without both Casemiro and Ferland Mendy for the return leg after they picked up bookings.
And Courtois was critical of Kroos and his wayward ball to Eden Hazard which was intercepted by Marquinhos and led to Mbappe’s late winner.
“We had defended really well, then we gave away a very stupid pass… it’s very hard,” Courtois told RMC Sport after the final whistle.
“We had not played great, but bringing a 0-0 to the Bernabeu would have been better.
“We will have to win no matter what. We know we have to win and hopefully we can do it with the support of the fans.”
On Mbappe’s performance, Courtois added: “I denied a few. His last action is quality, class. He is one of the best in the world.”
Speaking about Mendy and Casemiro missing the second leg, Courtois continued: “It’s a shame they can’t be there for the return leg. Mendy didn’t deserve a yellow for his foul, he had no intention of doing that.
“The referee was very generous with the yellow cards today.”
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